Crystallization Of Chains Research Articles

Layered Structure in the Crystalline Adsorption Layer and the Leaching Process of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Revealed by Neutron Reflectivity.

We investigated the structure of the crystalline adsorption layer of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in hot water by neutron reflectivity in two cases: when the adsorption layer is exposed on the substrate by leaching the upper bulk layer and when it is deeply embedded between a relatively thick PVA film and substrate. In both cases, the PVA adsorption layer consists of three layers on the Si substrate. The bottom layer, consisting of amorphous chains that are strongly constrained on the substrate, is not swollen even in hot water at 90 °C. The middle layer, consisting of amorphous chains that are much more mobile compared with those in the bottom layer, has no freedom to assume a crystalline form. Only the molecular chains in the top layer are crystallizable in the adsorption layer, leading to a heterogeneous layered structure in the film thickness direction. This layered structure is attributed to the crystallizable chains of PVA during the formation of the adsorption layer driven by hydrogen bonding. However, the structure and dynamics in the adsorption layer may differ in both cases because the molecular chains in the vicinity of the surface seem to be affected by surface effects even in the adsorption layer.

Supercritical CO2 utilization for development of graded cellular structures in semicrystalline polymers

Carbon dioxide (CO2) in a supercritical condition is utilized to develop hierarchical cellular structures in injection molding. Polypropylene is used as sample semicrystalline polymer. First, a single-phase CO2-charged melt was produced under pressure. Then, a gradient cell structure was induced onto the polymer melt by pressure reduction and crystal-induced shrinkage. A visualization mold was employed to monitor real-time nucleation of CO2 cells within the mold cavity. Distinctive cell nucleation behaviour was visualized for the first time in which a myriad of ultra-fine cells nucleated rapidly inside the system in an abnormal manner. This type of cell nucleation was different from that occurring due to a pressure drop during foam processing. This mode of cell nucleation was likely driven by the crystallization of the polypropylene chains in the presence of the supercritical CO2. The crystallization behaviour of polypropylene was then investigated within the mold cavity and in the presence of dissolved CO2 by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The presence of supercritical CO2 affected the size of α and β crystals. Furthermore, γ crystals were detected in the core regions of samples. The formed crystals served as effective nucleating sites which promoted the nucleation of large number of fine cells and produced structurally graded foams. The effects of CO2 content, melt packing, and melt temperature on the cell structure development was studied. It was concluded that these parameters can be regulated to design cellular structures with desired cell size and cell morphologies.

Nanoporous Membranes Prepared from Homogeneous Lamellar Structure Developed via Biaxial Melt‐Drawing of Ultra‐High Molecular Weight Polyethylene/Normal Molecular Weight Polyethylene Blend Films

Inside Cover: Biaxial melt-drawing of blend films composed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) and normal molecular weight polyethylene (NMW-PE) produce a unique network structure consisting of 30 nm thick homogeneous folded chain crystals. Subsequent biaxial solid-drawing produces a nanoporous structure covering a large area of the membrane surface (120 mm × 120 mm). Consistence of membrane porousness and robustness is highly desirable for various separation applications, including filtration, water purification, dialysis, and lithium-ion batteries. Further details can be found in article 2100095 by Hiroki Uehara and co-workers.

Effect of Stretching Rate on Tensile Response and Crystallization Behavior of Crosslinked Natural Rubber

The performance of natural rubber (NR) relies heavily on the microstructural changes during deformation. This has brought to significant change in the stress response of NR. Besides, the stretching rate may also affect the stress response of NR. In this study, effects of stretching rate on tensile deformation and strain-induced crystallization of crosslinked NR were investigated. Results indicated that increasing the strain rate has increased the stress at given strain where the onset of strain-induced crystallization was shifted to a lower strain. The crystallinity of the crosslinked NR was shown to be higher at a high stretching rate and it corresponded well with the tensile response. The results clearly confirm that chain orientation and crystallization became stronger with increasing deformation rate. The study also suggests that the deformation could improve distribution of crosslinked network structures.

Nanoporous Membranes Prepared from Homogeneous Lamellar Structure Developed via Biaxial Melt‐Drawing of Ultra‐High Molecular Weight Polyethylene/Normal Molecular Weight Polyethylene Blend Films

AbstractBiaxial melt‐drawing of blend films composed of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene and normal molecular weight polyethylene produced a unique network structure consisting of 30‐nm thick homogeneous folded chain crystals. Subsequent biaxial solid‐drawing produced a nanoporous structure covering a large area of the membrane surface (120 mm × 120 mm). Effects of preparation parameters, including annealing and subsequent solid‐drawing, on resultant nanoporous morphology are also testified to achieve the desirable membrane. The higher gas permeability coefficients of the nanoporous membranes indicate that these nanopores are interconnected along the thickness direction. Despite such excellent porosity, the tensile strength reached 30 MPa, which is similar to that for the initial non‐porous film. Consistence of membrane porousness and robustness is highly desirable for various separation applications, including filtration, water purification, dialysis, and lithium‐ion batteries.

A facile approach to realize simultaneously chain extension and crystallization promotion of poly (ethylene terephthalate)

A synergic strategy combining chemical nucleation with chain extension was employed for Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). In this study, sodium linoleate (Na-LL), as chemical nucleating agent, was selected to promote the nucleation process, and an ultraviolet-induced chain extension approach was simultaneously employed to maintain the molecular weight of PET with the aid of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) / trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). The rheological properties, crystallization behaviors and mechanical properties of PET composites were systematically explored. The rheological results showed that GMA/TMPTA blend is effective for PET chain extension reaction and the addition of Na-LL would not badly offset the chain extension effect of GMA/TMPTA. The non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization studies demonstrated that Na-LL is an effective organic nucleating agent for PET. Low loading of Na-LL can considerably improve the crystallization properties of PET. At last, the combination of GMA/TMPTA/Na-LL could also maintain the excellent comprehensive mechanical properties of PET.

Influence of early thermal-oxidative ageing on the structure and properties of polyoxymethylene copolymer.

Thermal-oxidative ageing of polyoxymethylene (POM) copolymer in the oven at 100°C for 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days and the influence of early thermal-oxidative ageing on POM structure and properties were studied by means of wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and tensile test. Based on the results, we found that the early thermal-oxidative ageing of POM copolymer can be divided into three regions. The region I is the initial 3 days. In this region, some molecular chains rearranged, resulting in internal stress relaxation, increase of crystallinity degree and grain size due to the perfection of crystal structure; both extended chain crystal (ECC) and folded chain crystal (FCC) increased and ECC grew faster than FCC. The region II is from 3 days to 10 days, and in this region, chain scission took place in amorphous region and led to chemi-crystallization. The region III is after 10 days. In this region, the structure and performance of POM copolymer reached a stable situation at this stage. In this work, the difference between skin and core were also analysed.

Processable and recyclable crosslinking solid-solid phase change materials based on dynamic disulfide covalent adaptable networks for thermal energy storage

Generally, the chemically crosslinking solid-solid phase change materials (PCMs) are fabricated to address the issues of leakage and poor mechanical properties of traditional PCMs. However, the solid-solid PCMs also bring environmental pollution and resources waste as the permanent chemically crosslinking polymers cannot be recycled and reprocessed once molded. Herein, we reported a dynamic-covalent- crosslinking PCMs (V-PCMs) consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as phase change ingredient, polyaryl polymethylene isocyanate (PAPI) as crosslinking points and disulfide as dynamic bonds. The as-prepared V-PCMs can reversibly store and release heat via melting and crystallization of PEG chains, and exhibit anti-leakage performance and solid-solid phase change merit due to chemically crosslinking networks even above melting point (Tm) of PEG. Besides, the V-PCMs show recycling and reprocessing ability from association mechanism of dynamic disulfide bonds. Also, the recycled V-PCMs can reversibly store and release heat and exhibit solid-solid phase change characteristic as original V-PCMs. This method provides a promising way for the fabrication of chemically crosslinking solid-solid PCMs with recyclability and multi-functionalization.

Preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/high density polyethylene composites with enhanced properties by using a master batch method

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were prepared by a masterbatch method (mPEC) in which a commercial HDPE was blended with a MWCNTs/HDPE masterbatch obtained from in situ polymerization. Owing to the interfacial interaction, a 13 cm−1up-shift of the G band for the MWCNTs was observed in the Raman spectrum of the MWCNTs/HDPE masterbatch and the homogeneous distribution of MWCNTs in the mPEC was realized. Compared to the pure HDPE and the MWCNTs/HDPE composites prepared by a direct melt-blending method (dPEC), the mPEC had better electrical, mechanical and rheological properties, suggesting that the in situ polymerized HDPE covering on the MWCNTs surfaces played an important role in the reinforcing effects as an interfacial modifier. The tensile yield strength and the Young’s modulus of the mPEC containing 3 wt% MWCNTs (mPEC3), and the flexural strength and the flexural modulus of the mPEC containing 1 wt% MWCNTs were improved by 38.3%, 41.7%, 24.4%, and 42.9%, respectively, compared to those of the pure HDPE. For, the electrical resistivity of mPEC3 was decreased by about three orders of magnitude relative to that of the pure HDPE. The | η*|, G′, and G″ of the mPEC were obviously higher than those of pure HDPE. Moreover, the polyethylene-modified MWCNTs obtained from in situ polymerization could facilitate the crystallization of the HDPE macromolecular chains more effectively compared to the unmodified MWCNTs.

Thermal Properties and Structural Features of Multilayer Films Based on Chitosan and Anionic Polysaccharides.

This study investigates the thermal and structural properties of multilayer composites based on chitosan (CS) and polyanions with different functionalities, including sodium sulfoethyl cellulose (SEC), sodium alginate (ALG), and sodium hyaluronate (HA). Unlike polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) obtained by polymer mixing, the formation of a PEC layer by a process of layer-by-layer deposition of oppositely charged polymers is accompanied by the transformation of the CS polymorphic state, and this affects the relaxation and thermal properties of the resulting multilayer composite. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the formation of the PEC layer in the CS/SEC multilayer film is accompanied by crystallization of the CS chains and the formation of a predominantly anhydrous CS modification. Thermogravimetric analysis of the CS/SEC film registers a high-temperature peak associated with the thermal decomposition of crystalline CS in the PEC composition. According to the dynamic mechanical analysis, the CS/SEC composite was characterized by a single glass transition temperature, indicating a strong interaction between the layers when using SEC (a strong acid salt) as the counterion to CS. For multilayer composites with weak polyacid salts (ALG and HA), the crystallization of CS in the PEC layer is weaker, as reflected in the thermal degradation of these films. A high-temperature peak is recorded in the thermal decomposition of CS/HA and is absent in the case of CS/ALG. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the CS/ALG composite showed two glass transition temperatures close to those of the original polymers, indicating weak PEC formation. The CS/HA composite showed an intermediate response. Thus, the effect of the PEC layer on the properties of the poly-layer composites decreases in the order CS/SEC > CS/HA > CS/ALG.

Functional Bionanocomposite Fibers of Chitosan Filled with Cellulose Nanofibers Obtained by Gel Spinning.

Extremely high mechanical performance spun bionanocomposite fibers of chitosan (CHI), and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were successfully achieved by gel spinning of CHI aqueous viscous formulations filled with CNFs. The microstructural characterization of the fibers by X-ray diffraction revealed the crystallization of the CHI polymer chains into anhydrous chitosan allomorph. The spinning process combining acidic–basic–neutralization–stretching–drying steps allowed obtaining CHI/CNF composite fibers of high crystallinity, with enhanced effect at incorporating the CNFs. Chitosan crystallization seems to be promoted by the presence of cellulose nanofibers, serving as nucleation sites for the growing of CHI crystals. Moreover, the preferential orientation of both CNFs and CHI crystals along the spun fiber direction was revealed in the two-dimensional X-ray diffraction patterns. By increasing the CNF amount up to the optimum concentration of 0.4 wt % in the viscous CHI/CNF collodion, Young’s modulus of the spun fibers significantly increased up to 8 GPa. Similarly, the stress at break and the yield stress drastically increased from 115 to 163 MPa, and from 67 to 119 MPa, respectively, by adding only 0.4 wt % of CNFs into a collodion solution containing 4 wt % of chitosan. The toughness of the CHI-based fibers thereby increased from 5 to 9 MJ.m−3. For higher CNFs contents like 0.5 wt %, the high mechanical performance of the CHI/CNF composite fibers was still observed, but with a slight worsening of the mechanical parameters, which may be related to a minor disruption of the CHI matrix hydrogel network constituting the collodion and gel fiber, as precursor state for the dry fiber formation. Finally, the rheological behavior observed for the different CHI/CNF viscous collodions and the obtained structural, thermal and mechanical properties results revealed an optimum matrix/filler compatibility and interface when adding 0.4 wt % of nanofibrillated cellulose (CNF) into 4 wt % CHI formulations, yielding functional bionanocomposite fibers of outstanding mechanical properties.

Confined crystallization and chain conformational change in electrospun poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers

This study focused on understanding the confined crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in electrospun nanofibers. The effect of thermal treatment on PEO crystallization was also studied. An electrospinning process with a rotating drum collector enabled stretching and aligning of polymer chains, which resulted in the formation of a planar zigzag conformation. The confined environment in nanofibers facilitated an ordered crystal arrangement, resulting in an increase in the degree of crystallinity with a decrease in the fiber diameter. By contrast, large fibers extended solvent evaporation, which resulted in large crystallite sizes. The confined geometry and mechanical force provided by a rotating collector induced the preferred crystal orientation parallel to the fiber axis. Upon thermal annealing, the stretched PEO chains relaxed, resulting in a change from the metastable zigzag conformation to a stable helical conformation. Thermal treatment monotonically increased the melting temperature, degree of crystallinity, and crystallite size of PEO nanofibers regardless of the fiber diameter but did not influence the orientation of the organized crystals. The confinement effect on the chain conformation and crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in electrospun nanofibers was investigated. The PEO chains in electrospun nanofibers were tightly packed and exhibited a zigzag conformation. Increasing the fiber diameter reduced the packing of polymer chains, resulting in increases in the melting temperature and crystallite size. Thermal treatment relaxed the stretched chains, which induced a change from the metastable zigzag conformation to a stable helical conformation. Additionally, the melting temperature, degree of crystallinity, and crystallite size increased with increasing annealing temperature.

Entropy-Driven Heterogeneous Crystallization of Hard-Sphere Chains under Unidimensional Confinement.

We investigate, through Monte Carlo simulations, the heterogeneous crystallization of linear chains of tangent hard spheres under confinement in one dimension. Confinement is realized through flat, impenetrable, and parallel walls. A wide range of systems is studied with respect to their average chain lengths (N = 12 to 100) and packing densities (φ = 0.50 to 0.61). The local structure is quantified through the Characteristic Crystallographic Element (CCE) norm descriptor. Here, we split the phenomenon into the bulk crystallization, far from the walls, and the projected surface crystallization in layers adjacent to the confining surfaces. Once a critical volume fraction is met, the chains show a phase transition, starting from regions near the hard walls. The established crystal morphologies consist of alternating hexagonal close-packed or face-centered cubic layers with a stacking direction perpendicular to the confining walls. Crystal layer perfection is observed with an increasing concentration. As in the case of the unconstrained phase transition of athermal polymers at high densities, crystal nucleation and growth compete with the formation of sites of a fivefold local symmetry. While surface crystallites show perfection with a predominantly triangular character, the morphologies of square crystals or of a mixed type are also formed. The simulation results show that the rate of perfection of the surface crystallization is not significantly faster than that of the bulk crystallization.

Methyl-Branched Side Chains on Polythiophene Suppress Chain Mobility and Crystallization to Enhance Photovoltaic Performance

We synthesized a polythiophene with methyl-branched side chains, poly(3-2-methylpentylthiophene) (P3MPT), and studied the thermal properties, morphology, optoelectrical properties, and photovoltaic performance of P3MPT blended with the fullerene derivative, [6,6]-phenyl C₆₀-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The results are compared to those of the commonly used poly(3-hexylthiopene) (P3HT) with linear side chains to investigate the effects of the methyl-branched side chain. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows a higher glass transition temperature, and both X-ray diffraction and UV–vis absorption reveal a lower crystallization rate for P3MPT as compared to P3HT, due to the methyl-branched side chains that more efficiently suppress the chain mobility. Such behaviors can create an optimal as well as a stable structure for bulk-heterojunction solar cells so that the P3MPT/PCBM-based device not only shows a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) but can much more effectively maintain the efficiency with time than the P3HT/PCBM-based device does. The stable phase-separated structure in the P3MPT/PCBM blend is confirmed by the grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) technique, which explains the superior long-term stability of the P3MPT/PCBM solar cell.

A Facile Solution Engineering of PEDOT:PSS-Coated Conductive Textiles for Wearable Heater Applications.

To enable highly conductive electronic textiles (E-textiles), we herein demonstrate a simple solution treatment of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-coated textiles by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methanol. The subsequent solution engineering of DMSO and methanol not only enhances crystallization of PEDOT chains but also the contact for PEDOT:PSS to the fibers. Additionally, the methanol dipping effectively removes the insulating PSS part from the conductive PEDOT chains, which contributes to subsequently reduced sheet resistance of less than 3 Ω/sq of the conductive textiles. Joule heating property of the highly conductive textiles achieves the maximum temperature with the temperature reaching 133 °C at a low applied voltage of 3 V within 20 s, which promises highly conductive E-textiles as multi-functional wearable heater applications.

Secondary nucleation in polymer crystallization: A kinetic view

Secondary nucleation on the surfaces of growing crystals plays a vital role in polymer crystallization, which determines the lamellar thickness at growth front and the radial growth rate. Though secondary nucleation has been intensively studied in the past decades, our understanding on the molecular mechanism and kinetics is not yet complete. In this perspective, we will briefly review the major advances in the secondary nucleation of flexible polymer chains in the past decade and discuss some remained questions from a viewpoint of kinetics. The main theories, thermodynamics and kinetics of secondary nucleation are first summarized. The difference of nucleation of polymer chains from that of small molecular crystals is revealed via analysis of kinetics. Then, the interplay of various microscopic processes leading to the final crystalline structures is discussed, such as lamellar thickening versus widening, intra-chain vs inter-chain nucleation, secondary nucleation versus lateral spreading, secondary vs primary nucleation, nucleation of polymorphisms, and so forth. Finally, some remained open questions are highlighted. Combining kinetic theory considering various microscopic processes and new experimental evidences at different length and time scales would greatly help deepen our understanding on the secondary nucleation during crystallization of flexible polymer chains.

Two kinds of rare light chain cast nephropathy caused by multiple myeloma: case reports and literature review

BackgroundLight chain cast nephropathy (LCCN) is the most common renal disease caused by multiple myeloma (MM). In addition to ordinary light chain protein casts, there are a few rare casts with unique shapes, including light chain amyloid casts (LCAC) and light chain crystal casts (LCCC).Case presentationsHere, we report two patients. Patient 1 is a 72-year-old man who was clinically diagnosed with MM and acute kidney injury (AKI). Pathological examination of a renal biopsy revealed that there were many amyloid casts in the distal tubules that had a lightly-stained central area and a deeply-stained burr-like edge. The marginal zone of the cast was positive for Congo red staining and contained numerous amyloid fibers, as observed by electron microscopy. No systemic amyloidosis was found. The patient received 4 courses of bortezomib-based chemotherapy, and then, his MM achieved partial remission. Patient 2 is a 57-year-old man who was also clinically diagnosed with MM and AKI. Pathological examination of a renal biopsy showed that there were many crystalline casts in the distal tubules that were fully or partially composed of crystals with different shapes, including rhomboid, needle, triangle, rectangle and other geometric shapes. Congo red staining was negative. Crystals were also detected in the urine of this patient. After 9 courses of treatment with a bortezomib-based regimen, his MM obtained complete remission and his renal function returned to normal.ConclusionsLCAC and LCCC nephropathy caused by MM are two rare types of LCCN, and both have their own unique morphological manifestations. LCAC nephropathy may not be accompanied by systemic amyloidosis. The diagnosis of these two unique LCCNs must rely on renal biopsy pathology, and the discovery of urine crystals is of great significance for indicating LCCC nephropathy.

Crystallization of semiflexible polymers in melts and solutions.

We studied the crystallization of semiflexible polymer chains in melts and poor-solvent solutions with different concentrations using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) computer simulation techniques. We used the coarse-grained polymer model to reveal the general principles and microscopic scenario of crystallization in such systems at large time and length scales. It covers both primary and secondary nucleation as well as crystallites' merging. The parameters of the DPD model were chosen appropriately to reproduce the entanglements of polymer chains. We started from an initial homogeneous disordered solution of Gaussian chains and observed the initial stages of crystallization process caused in our model by orientational ordering of polymer chains and polymer-solvent phase separation. We found that the overall crystalline fraction at the end of the crystallization process decreases with the increasing polymer volume fraction while the steady-state crystallization speed at later stages does not depend on the polymer volume fraction. The average crystallite size has a maximal value in the systems with a polymer volume fraction from 0.7 to 0.95. In our model, these polymer concentrations represent an optimal value in the sense of balance between the amount of polymer material available to increase the crystallite size and chain entanglements, that prevent crystallites' growth and merging. On large time scales, our model allows us to observe lamellar thickening linear in logarithmic time scale.

Morphological and mechanical properties of biodegradable poly(glycolic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends with in situ compatibilization.

In the present work, the biodegradable blends of poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with in situ compatibilization using 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) were prepared. The combined results of FTIR, DSC, SEM, DSC, POM, TGA and rheology demonstrated that the MDI was successfully reacted with PGA/PBAT, the complex viscosity and storage moduli (G′) of the blends were increased. Melt elasticity and viscosity of the blends were also increased on increasing the concentration of PBAT. SEM results indicated that the compatibility was improved by in situ compatibilization. Due to the apparent differences in melting temperature (Tm) between PGA and PBAT, the morphology of the dispersed phase evolved from a spherical structure to in situ microfiber when the content of PBAT was up to 60% during injection molding. The interfacial adhesion between PGA and PBAT was strengthened, consequently, the impact strength of the blend was sharply increased from 9.0 kJ m−2 to 22.2 kJ m−2. On account of the chain extension effect, the crystallinity, crystallization temperature and crystallization size were decreased, which was also of benefit for the improvement of toughness. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of the PGA was improved through blending with PBAT. A novel biodegradable blending material with enhanced toughness and thermal stability was prepared.

Nanocomposite Materials with Poly(l-lactic Acid) and Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide Nanosheets 2D-TMDCs WS2.

Layered transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) based on tungsten disulfide nanosheets (2D-WS2) were introduced via melt processing into poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) to generate PLLA/2D-WS2 nanocomposite materials. The effects of the 2D-WS2 on the morphology, crystallization, and biodegradation behavior of PLLA were investigated. In particular, the non-isothermal melt-crystallization of neat PLLA and PLLA/2D-WS2 nanocomposites were analyzed in detail by varying both the cooling rate and 2D-WS2 loading. The kinetic parameters of PLLA chain crystallization are successfully described using the Liu model. It was found that the PLLA crystallization rate was reduced with 2D-WS2 incorporation, while the crystallization mechanism and crystal structure of PLLA remained unchanged in spite of nanoparticle loading. This was due to the PLLA chains not being able to easily adsorb on the WS2 nanosheets, hindering crystal growth. In addition, from surface morphology analysis, it was observed that the addition of 2D-WS2 facilitated the enzymatic degradation of poorly biodegradable PLLA using a promising strain of actinobacteria, Lentzea waywayandensis. The identification of more suitable enzymes to break down PLLA nanocomposites will open up new avenues of investigation and development, and it will also lead to more environmentally friendly, safer, and economic routes for bioplastic waste management.