http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/ Iranian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology en daily 1 Sat, 23 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0430 Sat, 23 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0430 http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2148.html Hypothesis: The development of smart and multifunctional textiles with various thermal, mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic-absorbing, and antibacterial properties has attracted significant attention from researchers. Materials that impart such functionalities include metallic nanoparticles and metal oxides, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and MXenes. Despite introducing multiple advanced properties, MXene coatings preserve the inherent characteristics of smart fabrics. The main focus of this study is to investigate the antibacterial and electrothermal properties of MXene-coated cellulosic fabrics, as well as to examine how this coating influences the fabric’s intrinsic features, such as breathability.Methods: In this study, Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene was synthesized from the MAX-phase precursor Ti₃AlC₂ using a fluoride-containing salt etching method. Subsequently, an aqueous MXene suspension with a concentration of 7 mg/mL was coated onto the surface of a polymeric fabric pretreated with sodium hydroxide. The electrothermal performance, antibacterial activity, and air permeability of the resulting material were then evaluated.Findings:The MXene-coated smart cellulosic textile exhibited electrothermal performance (80 °C at 6 V) and inherent antibacterial activity of 77.53 ± 2.21% against E. coli and 66.84 ± 1.74% against S. aureus without the addition of any extra antimicrobial agents. The air-permeability results for the multifunctional coated textile (27.97 ± 2.84 cm/s) compared to the raw fabric (38.61 ± 0.35 cm/s) demonstrated acceptable breathability. Due to the alkali treatment of the cellulosic fabric, MXene uptake during the dip-coating process increased, resulting in a uniform and effective coating. Moreover, MXene nanosheets contain abundant functional groups, enabling strong attachment to the modified cellulose surface through hydrogen bonding. This MXene-based smart textile, while maintaining the intrinsic properties of the fabric, shows strong potential for applications such as de-icing, electrothermal heating, and protective warming garments. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2153.html Hypothesis: In this study, a heterogeneous multilayer cation-exchange membrane was fabricated by applying a rubbery nanocomposite layer containing graphite nanoparticles onto a commercial polyethylene membrane and evaluated for use in the electrodialysis process.Methods: The commercial membranes were surface-modified using a dip-coating method. The membranes were characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD, and FTIR analyses. Additionally, water contact angle, water content, ionic flux, electrical resistance, and hardness removal efficiency were assessed.Findings: The incorporation of graphite nanoparticles into the rubbery layer led to the formation of ionic transport channels and improved surface homogeneity. The reduction in crystalline domain size from 8.4 to 3.0 nm indicated diminished crystallinity and an increase in amorphous regions, which are crucial for ion transport. Initially, the water contact angle decreased after surface modification, but increased at higher nanoparticle concentrations due to the inherent hydrophobicity of graphite. The water content of the membranes decreased by up to 57% with the addition of 0.1 wt% graphite nanoparticles, then increased to 63% at 1 wt%, and decreased again at 10 wt%. The permeability and ionic flux of the modified membrane containing 0.1 wt% graphite nearly doubled compared to the unmodified one. The electrical resistance decreased from 38 to 8 Ω·cm² with increasing nanoparticle content, indicating the conductive role of graphite. In terms of hardness removal, the membrane with 0.1 wt% nanoparticles showed a 46% increase in magnesium flux and 18% increase in calcium flux compared to the base membrane. Overall, the simultaneous use of a rubbery layer and graphite nanoparticles enhanced membrane properties and performance in electrodialysis. These findings support the development of conductive and cost-effective membranes for industrial water treatment. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2149.html Hypothesis: PAN-based carbon fibers exhibit inherently low interfacial adhesion to epoxy matrices due to their chemically inert surfaces. It is therefore expected that anodic oxidation in two different electrolytes (acidic and alkaline) will enhance interfacial bonding by introducing active functional groups and increasing surface roughness. It is further hypothesized that the electrolyte type and the applied potential conditions will significantly influence the extent of chemical modification and, consequently, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the resulting composites.Methods: Surface modification was carried out using HNO₃- and NaOH-based electrolytes at fixed concentrations under ambient temperature. Anodic oxidation was performed using a three-electrode electrochemical system equipped with a potentiostat, consisting of a carbon-fiber working electrode, a platinum counter electrode, and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The fibers were oxidized via two approaches: (i) cyclic voltammetry (six cycles) to identify the effective oxidation potential, and (ii) potentiostatic oxidation at a constant potential for 3 and 10 minutes.Findings: Cyclic voltammetry revealed the potential range at which surface oxidation initiates, enabling the selection of an appropriate fixed potential for the main oxidation step. Attenuated total reflectance- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis confirmed the formation of oxygen-containing (e.g., C=O) and nitrogen-containing functional groups depending on the electrolyte used. Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed a substantial increase in surface oxygen and nitrogen content after oxidation. SEM images revealed significant changes in fiber surface morphology—specifically, increased roughness due to layer-by-layer etching—and improved fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion in the composite fracture surfaces. The enhanced ILSS values following anodic oxidation corroborate the synergistic contributions of chemical functionalization and mechanical interlocking to stronger interfacial bonding. . . . . http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2152.html Hypothesis: Synthetic polymers, due to their tunable properties, favorable processability, and broad range of applications in industrial and biomedical fields, play a significant role in advancing modern technologies. Among them, polycaprolactone (PCL), as a linear aliphatic biodegradable polyester, has gained a special position in advanced research and applications owing to its remarkable mechanical flexibility and biocompatibility. This polymer is widely used in fields such as tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery systems, and the fabrication of advanced membranes. Despite its numerous advantages, PCL faces limitations such as low hydrophilicity and slight surface roughness, which can affect its performance in certain applications.Methods: In this study, electrospun webs of polycaprolactone were fabricated under different humidity conditions (30% and 60%) during the electrospinning process to enable the formation of diverse morphologies. After production, these webs underwent surface modification using atmospheric pressure plasma treatment. In the final stage, various tests were conducted to investigate the physical, chemical, and structural properties of the prepared webs.Findings: Examination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the electrospun webs revealed that increasing the ambient humidity from 30% to 60% changed the surface morphology of the nanofibers from smooth and uniform to a porous structure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis also confirmed the successful implementation of the plasma surface modification process, as evidenced by the appearance of a broad peak around the wavenumber 3500 cm⁻¹, which corresponds to the hydroxyl group. Furthermore, water contact angle measurements on the porous electrospun webs after plasma surface modification showed a 37° reduction in contact angle (from 91° to 54°). These results indicate that the increased surface porosity, along with plasma treatment, has enhanced the surface roughness and improved the hydrophilicity of polycaprolactone nanofibers. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2151.html Hypothesis: Fabricating polymer nanocomposites based on blends of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) containing graphene nanoplatelets, aimed at improving polymer compatibility and enhancing electrical conductivity for use in electrolyte membranes of lithium batteries, could yield materials with superior electrical and dielectric properties.Methods: Nanocomposite films with varying weight ratios of PEO and PVDF and a constant 0.5 wt% graphene nanoplatelets were prepared using the solution casting method. The electrical performance of the samples was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy over a frequency range of 10 Hz to 10 MHz at room temperature. Conductivity, dielectric, and dielectric modulus properties were analyzed.Findings: The alternating current (AC) conductivity followed Jonscher’s power law at high frequencies. The highest direct current (DC) conductivity at room temperature was calculated to be 2.82 × 10⁻⁹ S·m⁻¹ for the nanocomposite containing 60 wt% polyethylene oxide, which was attributed to the reduced crystallinity of the PEO component and increased free volume in the sample. This study demonstrated that the weight percentage of PEO was a critical factor determining the dielectric and conductive properties of PEO/PVDF-based nanocomposites. Samples with more than 50 wt% PEO exhibited higher ionic conductivity, evidenced by high dielectric constant values at low frequencies and a distinct peak in both loss tangent and electric modulus spectra. Analysis of the electric modulus confirmed the ionic nature of these materials, revealing that increased PEO content enhanced ion dynamics and charge carrier mobility. This led to a decreased relaxation time and consequently higher electrical conductivity. The findings demonstrate the successful fabrication of polyethylene oxide/polyvinylidene fluoride/graphene nanocomposite films with enhanced electrical and dielectric properties, suitable for use in energy storage devices particularly in solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2155.html Hypothesis: Environmental pollution caused by plastics has raised numerous concerns and problems globally. One of the most widely used plastics is polystyrene, which is practically impossible to decompose naturally within a reasonable timeframe. Due to their light weight, flexibility, and ease of processing, synthetic polymers are increasingly used; however, their inherent non-degradability and high consumption inevitably lead to environmental pollution. To address this significant problem and prevent further environmental pollution, this study employed and evaluated two approaches: photodegradation and the incorporation of biodegradable fillers to produce biodegradable polystyrene composites. The effectiveness of combining these two methods to create degradable polystyrene was also evaluated.Methods: In this study, starch and paraffin were used as fillers, and polystyrene composites containing varying percentages of starch and paraffin were synthesized via suspension polymerization technique. To accelerate the degradation process, oleic acid was deliberately employed as a vinyl ketone monomer and as an efficient photodegradation initiator, and its effect on degradation was investigated. For precise chemical analysis, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the carbonyl index (CI) were used to study the chemical degradation of polymer blends. Moreover, optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy were employed to investigate the physical degradation of polymer composites.Findings: The results show that oleic acid aids the degradation process, and starch enhances biodegradability more effectively than paraffin. Consequently, the CI of pure PS, which is 0.54 after degradation, increases to 0.90 by adding only 3 percent starch. The presence of oleic acid in this composite further enhances the CI to 0.99. Therefore, the combined presence of starch and oleic acid significantly improves the biodegradability of polystyrene. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2163.html Hypothesis: The morphology of flat membranes, as one of the determining factors, plays a fundamental role in their functional properties, including permeability, selectivity, and mechanical strength. Precise adjustment of surface structure and membrane porosity enables optimization of separation processes and leads to significant improvements in efficiency and performance in industrial applications. Specifically, in the water and wastewater industry, controlling membrane morphology enhances fouling resistance and increases the operational lifetime of membranes.Methods: In this study, an asymmetric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) flat membrane was fabricated using the wet-casting method. To analyze the resulting morphology, a comprehensive kinetic and thermodynamic investigation of the polymer solutions was conducted to identify and explain the mechanisms governing the formation of the different layers in the asymmetric PVDF membrane structure. Findings: Investigation of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images revealed that the upper surface (active layer), cross-section, and bottom surface of the membrane exhibited distinctly different morphologies. These differences were attributed to the thermodynamic behavior and mass transfer pathways within the various layers of the cast film. ATR-FTIR results further demonstrated that morphological changes in the membrane led to microstructural variations on the upper and bottom surfaces, ultimately strengthening the β-phase in the PVDF polymer chains at the bottom surface. In addition, contact angle measurements showed that the water contact angle on the upper surface was 90°, whereas on the bottom surface it was 101°. Overall, it can be concluded that a precise understanding of the mechanisms governing the formation of different layers in asymmetric flat membranes enables control over the physical and chemical properties of the membrane surface, a goal partially achieved in this study. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2165.html HypothesisThe complex photopolymerization kinetics of furfuryl acrylate are governed by the competitive interactions between its two distinct reactive site, the acrylic vinyl group and the furan ring. The formation of stable allylic radicals from the furan ring leads to their significant accumulation within the system, causing a fundamental deviation from classical free-radical polymerization kinetics.MethodsA Kinetic Monte Carlo simulation was developed for the first time to simulate the photopolymerization of furfuryl acrylate at a molecular scale. The simulation was initialized with a system of 10¹¹ furfuryl acrylate molecules and incorporated a mechanism of 11 distinct reaction pathways. A custom C++ code, employing a Mersenne Twister random number generator for stochastic selection of reactions and time steps, was used to track the evolution of species concentrations, monomer conversion, and reaction probabilities over time.FindingsThe simulation results show excellent agreement with experimental data, confirming the accuracy of the simulation approach. One of the findings of this study was the identification of the pivotal role of stable allylic radicals and their gradual accumulation within the system. These radical species attained concentrations substantially exceeding those of acrylic radicals, thereby resulting in a deviation from classical polymerization kinetics. The intermolecular degradative chain transfer was identified as the most influential side reaction with a 30–39% probability, serving as the primary factor for the significant reduction in both molecular weight and polymerization rate. The ratio of the rate constant for intermolecular degradative chain transfer to propagation plays a significant role in controlling the final structure at different temperatures. This research not only provides a deep fundamental understanding of the polymerization mechanism of furanic monomers but also offers a computational framework for optimizing the synthesis of furfuryl acrylate-based polymers for advanced applications in areas such as biomaterials. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2168.html Hypothesis: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based membranes have limited hydrophilicity and so far, have not been used as the separator in supercapacitors. Despite their favorable chemical stability and low cost, the inherent limitations of these membranes (including hydrophobicity) could limit their application in supercapacitor-based energy storage systems. This study investigates the utilization of pure PVC membrane in this application and evaluates its performance.Methods: In this study, 11 wt% pure PVC membrane was fabricated using the phase inversion method and various tests including contact angle measurement, average pore size, porosity and water flux were performed to determine its properties. Then, the electrochemical tests EIS, CV and GCD were performed to determine the ion transport resistance of the membrane and its performance stability as the separator in a supercapacitor.Findings: The contact angle of 86.17o indicated moderate hydrophobicity of the membrane, while the average pore size (5.7 nm) and high porosity (91.8%) facilitated the ion transport in the membrane structure. In addition, the suitable pure water flux (87.5 L/m2/h) confirmed the proper permeability of the membrane. SEM images of the membrane cross-section showed porosity with fingerlike pores, confirming the proper permeability of the membrane. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed low resistance for ionic conductivity of the membrane (0.17 ohms), confirming the suitability of the membrane for application in supercapacitors. Furthermore, the membrane was assembled in a supercapacitor consisting of two copper plates coated with activated carbon and its performance was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) tests, which indicated reversibility and stability in charging and discharging of the supercapacitor. These results demonstrate the high potential of pure PVC membrane as an efficient and cost-effective separator in supercapacitors. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2169.html Hypothesis: The main components in tissue engineering are scaffolds, cells, and growth factors. Also, the use of a bioreactor can provide a greater similarity to tissue conditions by mimicking physiology. The hypothesis of this research is to confirm the synergistic effect of dynamic conditions on the adhesion, growth, and proliferation of mesenchymal cells cultured on a conductive electrospun scaffold. Methods: Nanocomposite scaffolds based on polyvinyl alcohol and multiwalled carbon nanotubes at concentrations up to 0.3 wt.% were prepared. SEM images were used to examine the fiber arrangement of the scaffolds, while mechanical and porosimetry tests were employed to assess their characteristics. A special bioreactor was designed and constructed to simulate dynamic conditions such as heartbeat. The acridine orange test was used to examine cell growth. Findings: SEM images revealed the fiber arrangement of nanocomposite scaffolds composed of nanofibers with diameters ranging from 60 to 90 nm, exhibiting a porosity of more than 80%. By applying heat treatment, water absorption decreased to less than 10%, and the contact angle ranged from 31 to 57 degrees, both indicating the structural stability of the samples in aqueous environments. The results of the mechanical properties test of the scaffolds showed an increase in the modulus of the scaffolds up to 2 times and a decrease in the elongation at break compared to the pure scaffold. The results of the cell viability test, cell morphology by SEM, and acridine orange cell staining after 48 hours, confirmed the non-toxicity of the scaffolds. By comparing on pure scaffolds and nanocomposite scaffolds, the positive effect of conductivity on cell growth and proliferation is evident. Additionally, comparing the impact of dynamic conditions with static conditions reveals that nanocomposite scaffolds under dynamic conditions provided better cell proliferation and adhesion. The scaffold containing 0.2 wt.% MWCNT exhibited the best biological performance. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2176.html Hypothesis: Piezoelectric actuators, which can convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, have gained great interest in soft robotic systems, medical instruments, artificial muscles, electronic devices, etc. Nanostructure tailoring via the cooperative effects of creating geometrical confinement, chain orientation, and nanoparticle addition can remarkably enhance piezoelectric properties and actuation performance.Methods: Preferably oriented polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers containing a low amount of Cloisite 30B were introduced by electrospinning on a wire-framed rotating drum. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) has been used to observe the morphology and diameter distribution of the nanofibers. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed dispersion of Cloisite 30B nanoparticles inside the nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) observed the crystalline structure of the nanofibers. The mechanical properties were measured using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Finally, nanofibers were used as the unimorph cantilever beam to evaluate the piezoelectric performance.Findings: The synergistic effects of preferential alignment, reduced fiber diameter, and Cloisite 30B platelets caused the tailoring of the polar β crystalline phase in PVDF. The well-oriented PVDF/Cloisite 30B nanofibers exhibited a smooth morphology with an average diameter beneath 100 nm and a β-phase fraction of ~88%. The probable polymer chain-clay platelet interfacial interactions are responsible for a ~84% increase in the elastic modulus of the oriented PVDF nanofibers. Previously, the geometrical constraint (preferential orientation and fiber diameter reduction) had led to a 63% increase in the elastic modulus of pristine and random PVDF nanofibers. The electrospun nanofibers showed the maximum piezoelectric deflection of 11.2 μm in response to the electric field of 2 V/μm when used as a unimorph cantilever beam, which is higher or comparable to the previously published data in literature. These results indicate that the produced PVDF/Cloisite 30B nanofibers are promising candidates for lightweight, flexible, and nano-dimensional piezoelectric actuators in next-generation multifunctional structures. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2177.html Hypothesis: Bacterial infections are among the most significant public health challenges worldwide and continue to pose a serious threat to patients, particularly in cases of chronic wounds, burns, and hospital-acquired infections. With the increasing resistance of various bacterial strains to conventional antibiotics, the need for discovering new and effective therapeutic approaches has become more urgent than ever. In this regard, electrospun nanofibers have attracted considerable attention due to their unique properties, such as high specific surface area, large surface-to-volume ratio, tunable structural characteristics, and excellent biocompatibility. These features make them a promising and innovative platform for controlled drug delivery systems and the development of antibacterial wound dressings.Methods: The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the antibacterial properties of electrospun nanofibers based on natural compounds, including collagen, chitosan, and Ganoderma extract (CCG). In this research, nanofibers were fabricated using the electrospinning technique from solutions containing an optimized combination of collagen, chitosan, and Ganoderma extract. The morphology and surface structure of the nanofibers were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results revealed that the obtained fibers possessed a smooth, uniform, and bead-free morphology with an average diameter of approximately 100 nm. Furthermore, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups corresponding to collagen, chitosan, and the bioactive compounds found in the Ganoderma extract.Finding: The antibacterial activity of CCG nanofibers was evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) and the Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) using the disk diffusion assay. The results demonstrated that the CCG nanofibers exhibited significant inhibitory effects against all three bacterial strains. Overall, the findings indicate that CCG nanofibers possess great potential as biocompatible, which could serve as an effective alternative to conventional dressings for wound healing applications. http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2178.html Hypothesis: The hybrid polymer system of modified starch and sulfonated polyacrylamide (SPAM) in water-based drilling fluids, compared to natural starch, utilizes the synergistic effect of the two polymers to enhance thermal stability, maintain optimal rheological stability under HPHT conditions, and significantly minimize fluid loss by forming a compact, low-permeability filter cake.Methods: In this study, a hybrid polymer system composed of sulfonated polyacrylamide (SPAM) and starch, in native and chemically modified forms, was investigated aiming to improve the drilling fluid performance.Findings: Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the modified starch exhibited a significantly lower degradation rate compared to the native form, which is due to its compact crosslinked structure that enhances the thermal resistance. Rheological analysis demonstrated that the combination of modified starch and SPAM provided higher shear stability and exhibited a smaller viscosity drop after thermal aging, which indicates improved resistance of the polymer chains to mechanical and thermal degradation. The drilling fluid formulated with the modified starch-SPAM blend showed marked improvements in thermal and rheological stability. Filtration tests further confirmed its superior performance as the filter cake thickness reduced to approximately 2 mm, compared to the thicker and more irregular cakes formed in the formulations containing native starch. Additionally, the fluid loss (FL) reduced to 2.2 cc, which reflects the formation of a dense, uniform, and low-permeability filter cake, which is critical for effective wellbore sealing and fluid control. In fact, synergistic effects of the two polymers, in addition to improving the fluid’s physical and chemical properties, have increased its stability against harsh operational conditions.00 11 00 11 00 11 00 11 00 11 00 11 00 http://jips.ippi.ac.ir/article_2179.html Hypothesis: The water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges of today’s human societies and due to the rapid growth of populations and increasing the urbanization, industrial development, global climate changes and at the same time, the warming of the planet; it has been intensified in the recent years. In these conditions, the water treatment and the water resource management have gained great importance for various industries such as oil and gas, food, power plants, etc. Various technologies based on the heat and membranes have been introduced for water treatment and in recent years, the membrane distillation process attracted the attentions due to its advantages compared to the conventional processes (such as high energy efficiency and low operational costs). However, the need for membrane improvement and modification of its properties is still felt. The use of biodegradable polymers is one of the proposed solutions so that this technology can be more optimized and economically viable. Methods: In this study, through the application of biodegradable polymer polylactic acid, membranes were synthesized by the phase inversion method at three polymer concentrations of 16%, 17%, and 19%. The membrane characterization tests such as mean pore size, liquid entry pressure, contact angle and porosity were performed. Subsequently, the membranes were applied in the membrane distillation process for the treatment of synthetic wastewater with high salt content. Finding: The purification flux (1.46 kg/m²/h for the 17% PLA membrane) and salt rejection (92.7% for the 17% PLA membrane) demonstrated the capability of the PLA membrane to be utilized in the membrane distillation process. In addition, the long-term performance of the 19% PLA membrane was evaluated over 16 hours, during which its flux increased from 0.17 kg/m²/h to 0.99 kg/m²/h and its salt rejection declined from 100% to 46.52%.