AbstractThis work explores the application of Allium sativum (Garlic) extract, in the creation of novel polymeric core‐sheath fibers for wound therapy applications. The core‐sheath pressurized gyration (CS PG) technology is utilized to mass‐produce fibers with a polycaprolactone (PCL) core and a polyethylene oxide (PEO) sheath, loaded with garlic extract. The produced fibers maintain structural integrity, long‐term stability and provide a cell‐friendly surface with rapid antibacterial activity. The physical properties, morphology, therapeutic delivery, cytotoxicity, thermal and chemical stability of PCL, PEO, PEO/Garlic, Core‐Sheath (CS) PEO/PCL and PEO/Garlic/PCL fibers are analyzed. Findings show that the addition of garlic extract greatly increases the fibers’ thermal durability, while decreasing their diameter, thus improving cell adhesion and proliferation. In‐vitro release tests reveal a rapid release of garlic extract, which has significant antibacterial action against both Gram‐negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria species. Cell viability experiments validate the fiber samples' biocompatibility and nontoxicity, making them appropriate for integrative medicine applications. These core‐sheath structures emphasize the potential of combining natural therapeutic agents with advanced material technologies to develop cost‐effective, sustainable and highly effective wound dressings, offering a promising solution to the growing concerns associated with conventional synthetic antibacterial agents.

AbstractControlled drug release (CDR) is a significant field of research in medical sciences due to its numerous clinical advantages over traditional methods. Encapsulation of a drug in a polymeric matrix is common technique to achieve CDR. In this study, drug‐polymer particles are prepared using poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) as the polymer and curcumin (CUR) as model drug. Two different methods, electrospray and nanoprecipitation, are used to prepare the particles, and optimal samples in each process are selected based on size and polydispersity index (PDI). Samples are characterized using various tests, and entrapment efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%) are calculated using UV spectroscopy. The results showed that nanoprecipitated and electrosprayed PLGA particles successfully encapsulated CUR, with higher encapsulation efficiency (93.2%) and loading capacity (7.2%) for electrosprayed particles. The in vitro drug release showed that electrospray particles have a slower release rate due to higher encapsulation efficiency. The electrospray method turned out to be more viable for synthesizing these polymer‐drug particles due to smaller particle size, lower PDI, higher entrapment efficiency, and drug loading percentage. Finally, the antibacterial behavior of the particles proved that prepared particles provide excellent antibacterial efficacy (99.9%) and can be used as drug delivery systems.

AbstractCrosslinked polymer films, formed via sol–gel and UV photocrosslinking, serve as gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) in lithium‐ion batteries. Combining polyurethane acrylate (PUA), polyurethane methacrylate (PUMA), pentaerythritol tetrakis (3‐mercaptopropionate) (PETMP), and 3‐mercaptopropyl trimetoxysilane (MPTMS) yields flexible membranes, enhancing stability and liquid electrolyte compatibility. The resulting GPE displays higher ionic conductivity (1.46 × 10−3 S cm−1) than Celgrad2500, with PUA‐PUMA's hydrophilicity and PETMP's SH groups preventing leakage. GPPF1, the developed GPE, offers improved ionic conductivity, a stable electrochemical window up to 3.8 V, and heightened safety for versatile energy storage systems.

AbstractThe rising widespread oil‐impacted wastewater warrants an urgent call for innovative approaches to the handling of oily wastewater. A variety of techniques has been investigated to treat oil‐impacted water, and they are found to be inefficient. Electrospun nanofibers emerge as the viable technique to treat oily wastewater precisely owing to their high specific surface areas and interconnected nanoscale pore structures. In this review, a brief background on the study is provided followed by the environmental pollution by the oily wastewater. Subsequent to that, the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) modification methods are also presented followed by the physicochemical properties of both the electrospun PVDF blends and the PVDF‐based composites. Furthermore, the performances of the PVDF‐based composites in oil/water separation are described. It is concluded with the future prospects for using PVDF‐based composites for oil/water separation.

AbstractThis study investigates the mechanical properties of nonwoven hybrid composites made from recycled cotton/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with various fiber weight percentages (100/0, 0/100, 75/25, 60/40, 50/70, 60/40, and 25/75). The multilayered nonwoven carded webs are manufactured by the carding machine, while the manual lay‐up technique is used to fabricate nonwoven‐reinforced composites. Their tensile, flexural, and impact properties and microstructure are then examined. It is found that the tensile modulus and strength increase with the increase in cotton, while the impact strength improves with the increase in PET. The composite of 75% cotton/25% PET offers 92.13% and 67.87% higher tensile modulus and strength than the composite of 25% cotton/75% PET; however, the composite of 25% cotton/75% PET shows 83.09% and 36.22% higher flexural modulus and strength, and 187% more impact strength, respectively, than the composite of 75% cotton/25% PET. The outcome of this study indicates that nonwoven composites with higher contents of recycled cotton can potentially be applied in building and construction sectors where substantial tensile strength is necessary, while composites with comparatively higher contents of recycled PET may be used for various potential applications (e.g., helmets, surfboards, and automotive interiors) where significant flexural and impact strengths are required.

AbstractPolylactic acid (PLA) composites having 1 wt% of MoS2 particles are prepared by solvent (SM) and melt mixing (MM) methods and their main thermal and mechanical properties are characterized. Coated films from SM samples and 3D‐printed filaments from MM samples are tested as active layers in reversible bilayer actuators using a paper sheet as a passive layer. The thermal properties depend on the method used to prepare the composites with MM samples presenting a cold crystallization and a glass transition during the first and second heating and SM samples displaying a standard melt process during the first heating and a small cold crystallization and a glass transition during second heating. Regarding the stiffness, MoS2 increases this property confirming its reinforcement effect. Both kinds of bilayers show reversible actuation under heating either by putting the actuator on a hot plate or by remotely irradiating the sample with near‐infrared light (NIR). Under NIR, the 3D printed composites present a much higher actuation. The higher remote actuation in composited bilayers is explained by the NIR light absorption of the MoS2 photoactive particles. This actuator can be used for the design of a smart façade or blind that closes under NIR stimulus.

AbstractTo facilitate the ongoing transition toward a circular economy, renewable 3D print materials that are both sustainable and competitive must be accessible. However, the growing demand for bio‐based thermosetting resins, which are used as ink for vat photopolymerization, gives rise to environmental concerns in terms of plastic waste management. Therefore, photocurable materials that are renewable and recyclable at the same time are needed. In this work, a mechanically robust and reprocessable 3D printed photopolymer is developed from renewable feedstock. Reaction of malic acid with glycidyl methacrylate introduces both methacrylate moieties that can undergo photopolymerization in the 3D printer, and β‐hydroxyester linkages that can act as dynamic crosslinks via bond exchange reactions. By combining modified malic acid with reactive diluents, a photoinitiator, and phosphate catalyst, three distinct resins are formulated, resulting in bio‐based contents ranging from 43% to 49%. The formulations demonstrate good layer fusion and accurate print quality, while the 3D printed specimens are robust and thermally stable. Notably, the printed object with shortest relaxation time displayed Arrhenius flow behavior with an activation energy of 36.0 kJ mol−1, and its mechanical performance is maintained after being recycled three times. This contributes to the end‐of‐life perspective of photocurable resins in additive manufacturing.

AbstractMagnetochromic materials change color upon variation in an external magnetic field. A magnetochromic elastomer resulting from the dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in a liquid and subsequent emulsification in a crosslinkable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is presented. The MNPs form rod‐like structures under an external magnetic field, aligning with the field and allowing light to pass through the elastomer. The elastomer thus changes from dark grey to transparent/light grey. Polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG200) is selected as carrier liquid due to the faster movement of MNPs herein than in glycerol, leading to more rapid color changes in the films. The influence of magnetic particle types (commercial, superparamagnetic, and surfactant‐coated) on the magnetochromic effects is investigated. All films exhibit optical density changes upon exposure to a magnetic field. Moreover, the films retain their color‐changing ability after cycles of 40 times exposure to a magnetic field. Compared to the synthesized superparamagnetic particles, the films with commercial particles display superior optical density change abilities, suggesting commercial MNPs are more suitable for magnetochromic films. The obtained films have promising applications as magnetical field sensors due to their simple storage requirements, rapid response, and excellent repeatability.

AbstractElectrospun sponges with electrical conductivity are promising materials for electrodes with applications in pressure sensors, flexible wearable sensors, and supercapacitors. However, electrospun sponges display poor electric conductivity, which can be increased by the addition of silver nanowire (AgNW). The resulting electric conductivity may depend strongly on the distribution of the AgNW in and on the sponges. A straightforward assembly method for an elastic conductive sponge, composed of 3D structures and metal nanowires, using a synergistic strategy which involves modified impregnation and deposition processes assisted by polyethyleneimine (PEI) impregnation, is presented. The resulting changes in the material properties are also explored, and it is under specific conditions, that percolation, leading to significantly enhanced electrical conductivity in the sponges, is achieved.