ABSTRACT Bio-based and biodegradable materials have emerged as highly attractive building blocks for droplet microfluidic encapsulation systems due to their inherent biocompatibility, tunable degradability, and versatile functionality. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in droplet microfluidic encapsulation enabled by these sustainable materials. Fundamental principles governing droplet formation and encapsulation are introduced. Subsequently, key classes of materials including polysaccharides, proteins, and degradable synthetic polymers are systematically discussed, emphasizing their structure – property relationships and advantages for precise and stable encapsulation. The functional performance of encapsulation systems, such as stimuli responsiveness and programmed degradation, is then analyzed, along with representative applications in biomedicine, food engineering, and environmental technologies. Despite significant advances, practical translation remains limited by challenges related to throughput, monodispersity, encapsulation efficiency, mechanical – degradation trade-offs, and regulatory constraints. Finally, emerging strategies for scale-up, adaptive material design, system integration, and intelligent optimization are highlighted. In particular, multi-stimuli-responsive bio-based materials, parallelized microfluidics, 3D printing, advanced manipulation techniques, and AI-assisted design are expected to enable predictable, scalable, and application-ready encapsulation platforms.

ABSTRACT The durability of reinforced concrete in seismic zones depends on achieving low water-to-cement (w/c) ratios without sacrificing workability. Polycarboxylate ether-based (PCE) superplasticizers are widely used for their water-reducing and slump-retaining capabilities at low dosages. However, conventional free-radical polymerization yields broad molecular weight distributions, limiting reproducibility and performance. Controlled/living radical polymerization (CLRP), particularly atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), offers precise control over polymer architecture. Yet, traditional ATRP requires high temperatures and is prone to catalyst oxidation. Photo-ATRP overcomes these issues by enabling controlled polymerization under mild conditions. In this study, PEG-containing copolymers were synthesized via photo-ATRP using tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) and PEG-based monomers (PEGA, PEGMA), followed by hydrolysis to acrylic acid units. Theoretical calculations (Gaussian 09) showed that poly(AA-co-PEGMA) had the highest Ca2+ adsorption energy. Experimental results from Marsh-funnel and mini-slump tests confirmed its superior rheological performance, consistent with computational predictions. These findings highlight photo-ATRP – synthesized poly(AA-co-PEGMA) as a highly effective, low-dosage water-reducing admixture that improves workability and reduces w/c ratio. This contributes to lower cement usage, energy demand, and CO2 emissions, promoting sustainable construction.

ABSTRACT Ring containing polymers, also termed as macromolecular necklaces, have opened myriad of new technical possibilities for advanced materials due to unique chained ring sequences in backbones. Commonly known ring containing polymers, like polyrotaxanes and polycatenanes are made up of mechanically interlocked monomeric molecules, rotaxanes and catenanes, respectively. These macromolecular sequences own intrinsically dynamic covalent/mechanical bonding, supramolecular chemistries, conformational related backbone mobility, flexibility, and structural integrity. Recently, increasing scientific interest seems trending toward design and exploration of blends and nanocomposites of polyrotaxanes and polycatenanes with nanocarbon (graphene, carbon nanotubes) and inorganic (metal, nanoclay, MOF, MXene) nanoparticles. Accordingly, this review is planned to highlight dynamics of macromolecular necklaces and derived materials, involving unique design varieties, fabrication, structural/microstructural specifications, conducting, mechanical, thermal, and other exceptional characteristics. Ultimately, high end applications of polyrotaxanes and polycatenanes based blends and nanocomposites have been discussed for phase change materials, electronics (sensors, actuators, batteries), scratch resistant coatings, and biomedical (drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing) applications. Despite scientific progress so far in the field of macromolecular necklaces, upcoming researchers must explore new design/fabrication possibilities and applied potential of polyrotaxanes/polycatenanes derived materials via understanding key role of ring structure/mobility in determining their physical and applied dynamics for commercial-scale manufacturing.

ABSTRACT A novel perfluorinated maleimide monomer, 3,5-bis((perfluorophenyl)methoxy)benzyl-4-(2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzoate (FMI), containing a perfluorinated aromatic group was synthesized using N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl)phenyl]maleimide, 3,5-bis(perfluorobenzyl)oxybenzyl alcohol, and triethylamine. Free radical polymerization of FMI monomer and its copolymerization with styrene (St) were performed at 75°C in the presence of 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator in toluene for styrene containing copolymers. The obtained copolymers were characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The thermal properties were examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods. The maleimide structure prevented molecular movement of the main chain and increased the glass transition temperature. The FMI monomer in the copolymers significantly increased the thermal stability, especially at half a percent degradation and residue amount in TGA analyses. The topography of the polymers containing the FMI monomer was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the effect of fluorine on the structure. To investigate the wetting behavior of these polymers, thin films were prepared using the spin-coating method, and the surface contact angle values were measured with distilled water and ethylene glycol. Contact angle measurements of thin films coated by the spin-coating method showed that the surface wettability of the films decreased significantly with increasing polymer FMI ratio.

ABSTRACT In modern times, efficient extraction of excess heat from sources remains a significant challenge. In this study, a ZnO nanofluids was stabilized by a specially engineered copolymer, poly (MMA-co-AMPS), using water as the base fluid to improve thermal stability and heat transfer efficiency. The copolymer, synthesized with an equimolar blend of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), exhibits a distinct structure featuring both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, which effectively disperses nanoparticles (NPs). Incorporating the copolymer as a dispersant significantly enhanced the stability of the nanofluids and thermal conductivity (TC) over time. When experimental outcomes were compared to established models, the Hamilton – Crosser model showed a strong alignment with the experimental data. Additionally, viscosity analysis revealed that the dispersant concentration influences the viscosity of the nanofluids. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential applications of copolymer-stabilized nanofluids.

ABSTRACT Present review article, for the first time, highlights almost every aspect of amphiphilic copolymers, including experimental and theoretical coverage on macromolecular varieties, blending/nanocompositing opportunities, characteristics, and technological consequences at one place. Initially, this manuscript summarizes fundamental knowledge on amphiphilic copolymers and blends, which is systematically followed by significant categories of amphiphilic copolymeric nanocomposites with nanocarbons (graphene, carbon nanotube, fullerene) and inorganic (metal nanoparticles, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes) nanofillers. Subsequent sections are dedicated to applications areas of amphiphilic copolymeric materials/nanomaterials, including environmental membranes (water purification from toxic ions, salts, dyes, bacteria), energy devices (fuel cells, supercapacitors, batteries), shape memory materials (electroactive, photosensitive, thermally responsive, water responsive), and biomedical areas (drug transfusion, tissue engineering, antimicrobials). In this way, this cutting-edge overview involves comprehensive descriptions of specific macromolecular designs, fabrication techniques, structural, microscopic, and wide ranging physical characteristics of amphiphilic copolymeric material/nanomaterials. Moreover, underlying challenges and suggestions have been included to offer valuable future insights for interested field researchers. Despite the progress so far, it seems that the development of high performance next generation amphiphilic copolymers and derivatives crucially relies on exploring new structural diversities, structure-property-performance relationships/mechanisms, modern processing approaches, and controlled fabrication; thereby setting new grounds for advanced industrially (energy, environment, biomedical) viable materials.

ABSTRACT Tackling the critical issue of water pollution requires sustainable remediation approaches. This review focuses on the promise of innovative biopolymer-based hydrogel microspheres. Made from natural polymers such as alginate and chitosan, these microspheres have demonstrated substantial effectiveness in adsorbing and eliminating various water contaminants, including heavy metals, organic dyes, and pharmaceuticals. For instance, calcium alginate gel beads are particularly efficient in removing Pd(II) ions, while composite alginate materials excel in capturing radioactive and pharmaceutical pollutants. Moreover, chitosan hydrogel microspheres efficiently remove heavy metals, dyes, and organic pollutants through electrostatic interactions, ion exchange, and chelation. Recent advancements in designing and synthesizing this hydrogel microspheres highlight their enhanced properties, such as high surface area, porosity, and customizable functional groups. Integrating nanomaterials and bioactive agents has further boosted their pollutant removal effectiveness, allowing these microspheres to target various contaminants from azo dyes to pharmaceuticals like ciprofloxacin and methylene blue. This review underscores the transformative potential of alginate and chitosan-based hydrogel microspheres in addressing water pollution. By analyzing recent innovations and potential solutions to scaling challenges, this work helps advance our understanding of how these cutting-edge hydrogels can act as effective, eco-friendly alternatives for sustainable water remediation.

ABSTRACT This study presents a systematic route to fabricate an oriented multilayer composite (OMC). First, a conductive polymer composite (CPC) was prepared. Fibers were then extruded from the CPC and embedded in a polymer substrate to form an oriented composite (OC). Finally, multiple OCs were stacked to obtain the OMC. Electrical measurements show that, unlike conventional multilayer composites, the OMC retains a continuous conduction pathway as the number of layers increases. The data further indicate that the target conductivity can be maintained while reducing the amount of carbon black (CB) by adjusting the fiber fraction in the matrix. For example, at a conductivity of 3.4 × S/m, decreasing the fiber mass fraction from 25 wt.% to 15 wt.% and 8 wt.% required CB contents of 3 wt.%, 1.8 wt.%, and 1 wt.%, respectively, with no change in conductivity. Electromagnetic absorption depends on both the number of layers and the fiber content; increasing either parameter increases absorption. Increasing the fiber content is effectively equivalent to increasing the number of layers along the orthogonal direction. This dual‑direction layering raised the absorption from 4.6 dB for a 2‑layer composite with 8 wt.% fibers to 19.93 dB for an 8‑layer composite with 25 wt.% fibers.

ABSTRACT Thermoplastic starch (TPS) is produced by processing starch at high temperatures with plasticizers like water or glycerol, transforming it into an amorphous polymer. A major issue with natural polymers is their high water permeability and tendency to swell, which weakens mechanical properties and limits direct use. Combining starch with clay in nanocomposites offers significant potential for new engineering materials. This study investigates enhancing TPS properties with formamide-modified magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxide (MgAl LDH) nanofillers. MgAl LDH (Mg/Al molar ratio 3:1) was synthesized via co-precipitation, modified with formamide (MgAl-F LDH), and dispersed in the TPS matrix using twin-screw extrusion. Characterization techniques, including tensile testing, water contact angle, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and TGA/DTG, comprehensively examined the properties of both the fillers and the resulting nanocomposite films. The findings indicated that the modified MgAl-F LDH nanoparticles exhibited an average size of approximately 48 nm, with lower crystallinity compared to unmodified MgAl LDH (average size ~ 50 nm). The incorporation of MgAl-F LDH significantly enhanced the thermal stability and hydrophobicity of the TPS films, although a reduction in tensile strength was observed. These results suggest that formamide modification of MgAl LDH can optimize TPS composites, expanding their potential applications in packaging and biodegradable materials.

ABSTRACT Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is among the most widely used polymers in food and beverage packaging; however, only a small fraction of post-consumer PET is recycled into food-grade products worldwide. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of mechanical, chemical, and biological recycling technologies, with a particular focus on their suitability for food contact material (FCM) applications. Mechanical recycling remains the most widely implemented and the only EFSA- and FDA-approved route for food-grade PET, largely due to its ability to achieve > 99.9% decontamination efficiency in advanced processes such as Starlinger IV+ and VACUREMA Prime®. Chemical recycling, including glycolysis and hydrolysis, offers the potential for monomer recovery and closed-loop recycling, while biological recycling shows promise under enzymatic conditions but is not yet commercially viable. In addition to outlining current technologies, this review integrates regulatory frameworks, EFSA-approved process data, and a comparative table of recycling routes, offering practical insight for researchers, recyclers, and policymakers. The novelty of this review lies in its regulation-centric evaluation of PET recycling technologies and its aim to bridge the gap between recycling efficiency and food safety compliance.