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        <title>Frontiers in Materials | Polymeric and Composite Materials section | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials/sections/polymeric-and-composite-materials</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Polymeric and Composite Materials section in the Frontiers in Materials journal | New and Recent Articles</description>
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        <pubDate>2026-05-13T13:39:08.999+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1837864</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1837864</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Green polymer nanocomposites: bridging material innovation with sustainable industrial practices]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Rund Abu-Zurayk</author><author>Aya Khalaf</author><author>Nour Alnairat</author><author>Haneen Waleed</author><author>Ayat Bozeya</author><author>Duaa Abu-Dalo</author><author>Manar Rabba’a</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1818255</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1818255</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Cross-linkable alternating copolymer featuring dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide segment applicable for organic optoelectronic devices with good stability]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Huiping Xiao</author><author>Jiaqing Cao</author><author>Liqing Yan</author><author>Xiang Gao</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The cross-linking strategy has been applied to enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency and device stability of polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) or polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, the application of cross-linkable polymers containing dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide segment as an active layer component or active layer additive in optoelectronic devices has garnered little attention. In this work, a feasible method for improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency and device stability of PLEDs and PSCs is demonstrated by utilizing a cross-linkable alternating copolymer containing dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide segment, which named as poly[(9,9′-bis-(3- ethyl(oxetane-3-ethyloxy)-hexyl)-fluorene-2,7-yl)-alt-(2,8-bis(octyloxy)-dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide-3,7-yl)] (CLPFSO), as the emitting layer in PLED or as an active layer additive in PSC. The polymer CLPFSO was procured through Suzuki polymerization process and could be cross-linked via thermal treatment. The PLED, structured as ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CLPFSO/CsF/Al with CLPFSO as the emitting layer, achieved peak luminance efficiency (LEmax) of 3.6 cd/A and sustained 78% of its initial LEmax across 30 days. The inverted PSC consisting of ITO/ZnO/PTB7-Th:PC71BM:CLPFSO/. MoO3/Ag with CLPFSO as an active layer additive showed a maximum PCE value of 9.51% and maintained 81% of its initial PCE over a span of 30-day period. The findings of this study offer a valuable viewpoint towards enhancing the efficiency and the stability of PLEDs and PSCs.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1758862</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1758862</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Adhesive coatings in naval archaeology: molecular and palynological investigations on materials from the Roman Republican wreck Ilovik–Paržine 1 (Croatia)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Armelle Charrie-Duhaut</author><author>Quentin Couillebault</author><author>Igor Miholjek</author><author>Giulia Boetto</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe construction of a vessel (from a boat to a large ship) and its maintenance requires waterproofing of its hull and protection against water corrosion and the aggression of microorganisms, worms and other pests. What could be more logical than using an easily accessible and applicable hydrophobic adhesive material? Many substances have been used over time such as resins, bitumen, plant tars, pure or mixed with beeswax, fats, inorganic elements. Pliny the Elder already mentions zopissa, a mixture of pitch and beeswax (Natural History XVI, 23). The strong expansion of shipbuilding between the 13th and 19th centuries generated a veritable industry of plant tars.MethodsIn this research work, a new interdisciplinary approach involving the combined use of molecular, palynological and statistical indicators has been implemented to characterize ancient waterproofing materials. This analytical strategy opens new fields of investigation in naval archaeology.Results and discussionBeyond the characterization of materials (nature, manufacturing processes, naval techniques, degree of alteration), it especially reveals information about the surrounding vegetation during the production or the application of the waterproofing material. This approach has been applied to the study of the protective coating of the Roman Republican wreck Ilovik–Paržine 1 (around the middle of the second c. BC) found in Paržine Bay (Ilovik Island, Croatia).]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1739900</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1739900</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Sticky stories: chemical investigation on multi-component adhesives in archaeology]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>I. Bertelli</author><author>M. Zborowska</author><author>M. Bartkowiak</author><author>E. Ribechini</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The present work investigates the composition and the thermochemical properties of multi-component organic adhesives, aiming to gain insights into the interactions among the adhesive components, the degradation and the technologies behind their use. To achieve that, both a series of model mixtures and archaeological samples were studied. Model mixtures were prepared using raw materials (pine resins, beeswax and vegetable oil) that simulated those available in antiquity and were then subjected to degradation processes for 2 months in environmental conditions. The samples were characterised using Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Evolved Gas Analysis-Mass Spectrometry (EGA-MS). ATR-FTIR highlighted compositional differences between samples and, thanks to its rapidity, was employed for monitoring the aging process in these materials over time. Due to the large amount of data generated from ATR-FTIR, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was subsequently applied to facilitate interpretation. Through thermo-analytical techniques, it was possible to elucidate how individual components influence the overall system under varying thermal conditions. In addition, a Design of Experiments (DoE) was employed to identify which variables most strongly affect the thermal stability of the systems.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1769252</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1769252</link>
        <title><![CDATA[An in-depth study on tribological behaviour of polymers and polymer composites: state-of-the-art]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>C. Pradeep Raja</author><author>V. S. V. Satyanarayana</author><author>Putti Venkata Siva Teja</author><author>Bade Venkata Suresh</author><author>G. Sridevi</author><author>Suman Pandipati</author><author>Rhoda Afriyie Mensah</author><author>N. B. Karthik Babu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Polymer-based composites have gained prominence in tribological applications due to their lightweight nature, tunable properties, and multifunctional potential. However, existing reviews largely report performance improvements without systematically addressing contradictory trends, testing variability, and emerging manufacturing routes. This review analyses friction and wear mechanisms in fibre-reinforced and particle-reinforced polymers, surface coatings, and additively manufactured polymer composites. Key mechanisms, including load transfer, transfer film formation, thermal dissipation, and interfacial effects, are critically synthesised across thermoset and thermoplastic systems. Representative performance trends are discussed to highlight the influence of reinforcement type, processing route, and operating conditions, along with limitations in current tribological testing practices and the need for standardisation. By integrating mechanistic understanding with comparative performance and future research priorities, this review provides guidance for the design and evaluation of polymer composites in automotive, aerospace, marine, and biomedical tribological applications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1788743</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1788743</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Induction heating and performance evaluation of steel wool/brucite fiber modified asphalt mixture]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Deming Han</author><author>Yagang Tong</author><author>Zeyang Li</author><author>Kehong Li</author><author>Yue Liu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The application of brucite fiber in asphalt mixtures utilizes solid waste, protects the environment, and improves the road performance of asphalt mixtures. This paper introduces the addition of brucite fiber to prepare a steel wool fiber/brucite fiber composite granule (CG), aiming to enhance the pavement performance of the steel wool fiber asphalt mixture. Moreover, it provides benefits in terms of new functions, such as self-healing and deicing. Based on the evaluation of the properties of the four types of fibers (brucite fiber, basalt fiber, polyester fiber, and steel wool fiber), the high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, moisture susceptibility, and the deicing property of fiber-reinforced asphalt mixture (FRAM) and the steel wool fiber/brucite fiber composite granule-reinforced asphalt mixture (CGAM) were examined. A variance analysis (ANOVA) was conducted to determine the significance of the primary factors related to FRAM. It was found that incorporating brucite fiber and steel wool fiber has a favorable effect on the pavement performance of the asphalt mixture. When the content of CG is 0.6% by weight of the asphalt mixture and the volume ratio between brucite fiber and steel wool fiber is 4:6, the CGAM shows the best performance. Specifically, the Dynamic stability (DS), Maximum flexural strain (MFS), and Tensile strength ratios (TSR) of CGAM were increased by 17%, 49%, and 15.3%, respectively, compared with the conventional asphalt mixture. The volume ratio between brucite fiber and steel wool fiber has a significant impact on the pavement performance of the asphalt mixture. Additionally, slope angle significantly impacts the efficiency of induction heating for de-icing. The de-icing time on a 25° slope was reduced by 43.9% compared to a 0° slope, demonstrating how environmental geometric conditions influence the performance of functional asphalt materials. In summary, adding CG benefits the road performance of the asphalt mixture and provides a new way of sustainable development.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1792562</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1792562</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Molecularly imprinted polymer-coated gold iron nanoparticles for the sensitive detection of ketamine via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Fan Yang</author><author>Jinjing Hu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The broad application of drug detection using the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique is limited because of the complexity of human body fluid systems. In this study, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-coated AuFe nanoparticles (AuFe@MIPs) with a 19.9 ± 0.3-nm polymer shell and a 100.3 ± 1.4-nm AuFe core were prepared by applying the ketamine molecule as a template. AuFe nanoparticles were fabricated via pulsed laser ablation in solutions. By systematically evaluating sorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics, ketamine could be captured by AuFe@MIPs with fast kinetics (20.0 min), efficient maximum sorption capacity (209.9 mg/g at T 298 K and pH 7.0), excellent selectivity against the interference of coexisting drugs, and favorable recycling usage (16.9% decline of pristine capacity after six cycles). Moreover, ketamine could be efficiently detected with a SERS enhancement factor of 1.24 × 103 from deionized water (100 ppb) and human urine (500 ppb) by applying AuFe@MIPs as the SERS substrate. The detection presented an excellent spatial uniformity of a typical peak at 1001 cm−1 (8.4% relative standard deviation for 50 measurements of the same substrate batch and 5.3% relative standard deviation for 50 batches of SERS substrate). This study provided a valuable reference to combine laser-ablated magnetic-plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) with drug-template MIPs for selective capture and effective SERS detection of drugs.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1787416</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1787416</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Intelligent optimisation design of hydraulic presses for composite material forming based on the synergy of an enhanced particle swarm fuzzy control algorithm and an adaptive robust controller]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Guanyue Sun</author><author>Guosong Chen</author><author>Hang Ye</author><author>Rongjie Cheng</author><author>Junliang Zhang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The production of composite automotive leaf springs presents significant challenges in terms of control accuracy, stemming from the coupled effects of large-range load fluctuations and parameter uncertainties. This paper therefore proposes a synergistic control strategy that integrates a nonlinear adaptive robust controller (ARC) with an improved particle swarm optimisation (PSO) fuzzy PID algorithm. This architecture uses the ARC to establish strict physical boundaries, thereby eliminating model uncertainties. At the same time, the improved PSO fuzzy logic with dynamic inertia weighting based on fitness indices enables control rules to be reconstructed in milliseconds to suppress random external disturbances. Optimisation results show that this strategy greatly improves system robustness and sensitivity. Experimental validation shows displacement tracking error control of ≤0.05 mm and velocity tracking error control of ≤0.07 mm/s. Compared to conventional PID control, steady-state error decreases from ±0.05 mm to ±0.01 mm, substantially improving the consistency of high-performance automotive composite moulding quality.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1790587</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1790587</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effect of biochar reinforcement on thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composites]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Bade Venkata Suresh</author><author>Bandaru Sateesh</author><author>Putti Venkata Siva Teja</author><author>Nandipati Govind</author><author>Y. Shireesha</author><author>Suman Pandipati</author><author>Rhoda Afriyie Mensah</author><author>Karthik Babu NB</author><author>Pradeep Raja C</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The integration of sustainable waste-derived reinforcements into polymer composites is an effective strategy for improving performance while reducing environmental impact. In this study, rice husk biochar was investigated as a particulate reinforcement for epoxy composites, and its influence on mechanical, tribological, and thermal behaviour was systematically evaluated. Epoxy composites containing different weight fractions of rice husk biochar were fabricated and characterised. Tensile strength increased from 22.7 MPa for neat epoxy to 29.2 MPa at 9 wt.% biochar, accompanied by an increase in elongation at break from 0.8% to 1.31%, indicating improved stress transfer and reduced brittleness. Flexural strength similarly improved from 58 MPa to 70.1 MPa, confirming enhanced resistance to bending-induced failure. Fracture-surface analysis revealed suppression of cleavage-dominated river patterns and increased crack deflection in biochar-reinforced composites. Dry sliding wear analysis showed that intermediate biochar content increased wear mass loss (0.76 mg at 6 wt.%) due to particle pull-out and third-body abrasion, whereas higher filler loading promoted more stable surface interaction. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated improved thermal stability of biochar-reinforced epoxy composites at elevated temperatures, particularly in the 400 °C–550 °C range, attributed to char-mediated thermal shielding. Overall, the results demonstrate that rice husk biochar provides multifunctional enhancement of epoxy composites by improving mechanical performance and high-temperature thermal resistance, while introducing content-dependent tribological effects, highlighting its potential as a sustainable reinforcement for epoxy-based non-load bearing structural applications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1779889</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1779889</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Recent advances in flame retardant polymeric materials and composites]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Xiaolang Chen</author><author>Siqi Huo</author><author>Jun Sun</author><author>Jing Zhang</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1741288</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1741288</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Physicochemical characterisation of severely aged crumb rubber modified bitumen]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jiayao Liu</author><author>Qian Yang</author><author>Yan Zhang</author><author>Shaokun Wang</author><author>Wei Wei</author><author>Wenbin Su</author><author>Rui Wu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Crumb rubber was incorporated into neat bitumen at a dosage of 15 wt% to mitigate the challenges of rising crude oil prices, high dependence on fossil fuels, and energy shortages. Both the unmodified bitumen and crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) were subjected to short- and severe long-term ageing. The rheological properties were evaluated using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and a bending beam rheometer (BBR) to investigate the high-, intermediate-, and low-temperature performance of the binders under different ageing conditions. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to characterise the chemical changes with modification and ageing. The results indicate that the incorporation of crumb rubber significantly enhances the high- and low-temperature performance of bitumen but slightly reduces its fatigue resistance and durability. Crumb rubber does not alter the oxidation pathway of bitumen. After severe long-term ageing, the chemical characteristics of CRMB remain comparable to those of neat bitumen.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1717795</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1717795</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Optimization analysis of theoretical maximum specific gravity of asphalt mixtures in segregated areas of asphalt pavements based on asphalt medium method]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yikui Wang</author><author>Yuhong Xiong</author><author>Jianxiong Lian</author><author>Kai Wan</author><author>Bo Chen</author><author>Xuran Cai</author><author>Shangwu Su</author><author>Qitao Huang</author><author>Weixiong Li</author><author>Xuetang Xiong</author>
        <description><![CDATA[During the transportation, paving, and compaction of hot mix asphalt aggregate segregation occurs, leading to changes in the theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm) of the asphalt mixture. To accurately determine the Gmm of the asphalt mixture after segregation, field samples of the asphalt mixture were collected and analyzed using the ignition method to evaluate the extent of aggregate segregation at different locations (auger and paver overlap zones). The asphalt immersion method was employed to precisely measure the Gmm. Grey relational analysis was applied to identify influencing factors and their patterns of impact on Gmm, and the relational degree of each factor was determined. By introducing weight factors and variation ratios for each factor, an optimized prediction model for Gmm was established. The results indicate that the specific gravity ratio of coarse to fine aggregate is the most significant factor affecting Gmm. The error between the predicted air void content of the asphalt pavement based on the corrected Gmm and the core-measured values obtained via the asphalt immersion method does not exceed 0.5%. This model is suitable for estimating the Gmm of segregated asphalt mixtures, thereby improving the accuracy of compaction quality assessment in segregated areas of asphalt pavements.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1709367</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1709367</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Synthesis and induction heating-induced self-healing of epoxy vitrimer nanocomposites]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jiahao Huang</author><author>Shixian Zhang</author><author>Qing Wang</author><author>Lei Zhu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Epoxy vitrimers have attracted significant research attention due to their reprocessability, malleability, and potential self-healing capability. In this study, we successfully synthesized two vitrimers based on a bulky diepoxide monomer, 9,9-bis(4-glycidyloxyphenyl)fluorene (DGBPEF) and zinc catalysts. When DGBPEF reacted with flexible Pripol 1040, a soft vitrimer with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 45 °C and a topology freezing transition temperature (Tv) of 207 °C was obtained. When DGBPEF reacted with glutaric anhydride, a hard vitrimer with a Tg of 166 °C and a Tv of 235 °C was obtained. While both samples exhibited good reprocessability upon hot-pressing around Tv, their surface scratches could not self-heal autonomously without applying pressure. Surface-functionalized superparamagnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (∼20 nm) were dispersed into the soft vitrimer matrix to prepare nanocomposites. At a nanoparticle loading of 5 wt%, the application of an oscillating magnetic field induced rapid induction heating, raising the nanocomposite temperature to 240 °C–250 °C (well above the Tv) within 5–10 min, which enabled effective autonomous self-healing of surface scratches. In contrast, no self-healing was observed when the nanocomposite was directly heated in a vacuum oven at 240 °C. This difference is attributed to the possible migration of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles toward the crack site under an oscillating magnetic field, which enhances localized heating and triggers the autonomous self-healing response.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1706929</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1706929</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Copper oxide–reinforced ethyl vinyl acetate/ chlorinated polyethylene blend nanocomposites: eco-friendly design of high-performance electroactive materials]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>M. Shini</author><author>M. T. Ramesan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Blend nanocomposites based on ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), reinforced with different quantities of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, were fabricated by a simple and eco-friendly two-roll mill mixing technique. Successful incorporation of nanoparticles into the blend matrix was confirmed by the characteristic peaks of CuO in FTIR and XRD. UV-Visible spectroscopy showed maximum absorption, a high refractive index and a low bandgap energy for the EVA/CPE/5 wt% CuO nanocomposite. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) investigations demonstrated uniform surface morphology and well-dispersed CuO nanoparticles at this concentration. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated improved thermal stability of the blend with the incorporation of CuO. Impedance analysis revealed that 5 wt% CuO nanocomposites achieved the most significant enhancement in AC conductivity (from 2.8 × 10−7 S/cm to 1.17 × 10−6 S/cm at 1 MHz) and dielectric constant (43.39–156.87 at 100 Hz), accompanied by a reduction in activation energy. The electric modulus plots showed non-Debye relaxation behaviour, while the Nyquist plot showed the smallest semicircle, confirming its lowest impedance at this composition. Mechanical tests demonstrated that the 7 wt% CuO-loaded nanocomposites displayed the maximum tensile, tear, and impact strength, surpassing the pristine EVA/CPE blend by 60.8%, 113.5%, and 30.8%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of EVA/CPE/CuO nanocomposites as next-generation electroactive materials for high-performance energy storage applications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1701180</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1701180</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Long-term effects of leaked oil vibration corrosion on the high-temperature performance of rubber asphalt and asphalt mixtures]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Xing Zheng</author><author>Aiming Fan</author><author>Pan Ran</author><author>Jianfeng Liao</author><author>Peng Guo</author><author>Tenglong Lu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Experiments were conducted on rubber asphalt (RA) corroded by leaked oil for different durations in order to study the long-term damage of leaked oil on the high-temperature performance of RA pavement. Asphalt physical property test, dynamic frequency scanning, temperature scanning, MSCR test, FT-IR, GPC test and TG test, were performed to investigate the influence of leaked oil on the high-temperature performance of rubber asphalt and rubber mixture. Based on the Grey Relation Analysis, the macro factors of asphalt that affect the high-temperature stability of asphalt mixtures were explored, and the correlation was analyzed between these macro factors and micro characteristic indicators. Physical experiments have shown that the complex shear modulus of rubber asphalt plunges after oil corrosion. The creep recovery rate(R) of rubber asphalt decreases after the oil corrosion, while the non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) significantly increases. Microscopic experiments revealed that oil corrosion lowers the mass loss temperature of rubber asphalt, with more severe corrosion causing greater temperature reduction. The chromatogram curves shift toward smaller molecules, reducing large molecule content while increasing small molecule components. Grey correlation analysis shows that MSCR test indexes (R and J) can predict permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures. This study provides a theoretical basis for enhancing the oil corrosion resistance of rubber asphalt pavements.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1685828</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1685828</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Research on the coupling effect of film thickness and UV aging cycle on the rheological properties and microstructure evolution law of asphalt]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zhe Li</author><author>Xuefeng Wei</author><author>Gui Hou</author><author>Yadong Xing</author><author>Dengyong Wang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In high-altitude regions, intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation significantly accelerates the aging of road asphalt. However, there is currently a lack of corresponding UV aging standard tests. This study addresses this issue by designing a programmable, adjustable-intensity indoor UV aging test to more accurately simulate the strong UV environment found at high altitudes. This study examines the effects of varying UV aging cycles and asphalt film thicknesses on the rheological properties and micro-aging mechanisms of 90# asphalt. Employing tests such as the dynamic shear rheometer, multi-stress creep recovery, and linear amplitude sweep, the study quantifies the impact of UV aging on asphalt’s high-temperature stability, deformation recovery capacity, and fatigue life. In conjunction with analyses via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), this research elucidates the evolution of chemical functional groups under UV irradiation, characterizes micro-crack propagation through five distinct stages, and reveals the underlying mechanisms governing changes in ‘bee structures.’ The findings indicate that UV aging significantly increases the asphalt’s high-temperature rutting factor by up to 303% for a 1 mm film after 9 cycles, and decreases its unrecoverable creep compliance by as much as 35.9%. This hardening, however, ultimately impairs its fatigue performance, with fatigue life reduced by up to 25.0%. The thickness of the asphalt film is identified as a crucial factor influencing the depth of aging, with thinner layers undergoing more severe aging. On a microstructural level, FTIR analysis confirmed an increase in carbonyl (IC=O) and sulfoxide (IS=O) functional group indices and a decrease in the aromatic compounds (IAr) index. Concurrently, surface damage progressed from micro-wrinkling to macro-cracking, and the average area of ‘bee structures’ in the most severely aged sample (1 mm-9C) increased by 248% compared to the unaged asphalt. This research provides key theoretical insights and quantitative data support for material selection, durability design, and lifespan prediction of asphalt pavements in areas with intense UV radiation, offering a conceptual framework for developing standardized asphalt aging tests.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1672938</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1672938</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Polymer-based nuclear radiation shielding materials: state-of-the-art and emerging trends for engineering applications]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Xiao-Peng Li</author><author>Hui-Sheng Yao</author><author>Yue Zhao</author><author>Bo Yuan</author><author>Jiayu Zhai</author><author>Li Li</author><author>Heguo Li</author><author>Xiaofeng Li</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The continuous advancement of science and technology has led to the widespread application of nuclear technology across a diverse spectrum of fields, including scientific research, industrial processes, and particularly the medical domain for diagnostics and therapeutics. This proliferation, while beneficial, necessitates stringent protective measures for personnel who may be exposed to various forms of ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, γ-rays, and neutrons. In this context, polymer-based composite materials have emerged as a pivotal class of shielding solutions. These materials are typically fabricated by incorporating functional fillers—containing elements with high atomic numbers for photon attenuation or neutron-absorbing isotopes—into a continuous polymer matrix. This design strategy synergizes the processability and lightweight nature of polymers with the superior radiation shielding efficacy of the dispersed fillers, thereby offering robust and adaptable protection for individuals in nuclear-related occupations. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of this material system. It begins by elucidating the fundamental attenuation and shielding mechanisms that govern the interaction of radiation with matter, establishing the theoretical foundation for material design. Subsequently, the paper offers a detailed review of the development history and recent research progress in polymer-based radiation shielding, tracing its evolution from conventional lead-impregnated rubbers to modern nanocomposites. The current research status of various material types is systematically summarized, highlighting technical achievements and innovative breakthroughs, such as the use of multi-layered structures or hybrid fillers. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the critical selection criteria for polymer matrices, considering factors like radiation resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. Finally, it synthesizes the key challenges that remain to be addressed in current materials and provides a forward-looking perspective on future development directions, aiming to guide subsequent research and development efforts in this critical field.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1701086</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1701086</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Green polymer nanocomposites: bridging material innovation with sustainable industrial practices]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Rund Abu-Zurayk</author><author>Aya Khalaf</author><author>Nour Alnairat</author><author>Haneen Waleed</author><author>Ayat Bozeya</author><author>Duaa Abu-Dalo</author><author>Manar Rabba’a</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The global push for sustainability has sped up the shift from petroleum-based polymers to green polymer nanocomposites (GPNCs). These materials combine bio-based or biodegradable polymers with nanoscale reinforcements to boost performance and lessen environmental impact. This review discusses synthesis methods, structure–property relationships, and industrial uses of GPNCs. Natural polymers like starch, cellulose, chitosan, and alginate, along with bioplastics such as PLA, PHA, PBS, and PCL, offer biodegradability but have limited mechanical strength. This issue can be significantly addressed by adding nanofillers, like nanoclays, CNCs, nanofibers, biochar, and carbon materials. For example, the addition of nanofillers increased the modulus by (60-70)%, while surface-functionalized nanofillers enhanced interfacial bonding, and hybrid fillers blend stiffness with flexibility, resulting in a 200% increase in elongation at break. Some metal nanoparticles offer antimicrobial properties in which cell viability went down to less than 10% upon addition of nanofillers, or photocatalytic benefits, achieving 100% photocatalytic efficiency, with safety carefully evaluated. Advances in fabrication methods, including solution casting, melt compounding, in situ polymerization, electrospinning, and 3D printing, improve scalability and nanofiller distribution. Including nanofillers boosts mechanical and thermal properties for high-performance packaging. GPNCs are increasingly important in sectors: in packaging, for improved film strength; in automotive and aerospace, for lightweight designs; in construction, for coatings and structural parts; in water treatment, via enhanced membranes; and in biomedical devices, due to biocompatibility. GPNCs promote sustainability by utilizing waste, reducing energy use, and enabling recyclability or biodegradability, supporting circular economy goals. They meet regulatory defmands like the European Green Deal and EPR. Challenges include higher costs of bio-polymers and nanofillers, processing complexity, need for standardized testing, and toxicity concerns for certain nanomaterials. Despite these, green nanocomposites blend innovation and environmental responsibility, crucial for a sustainable future, with ongoing research promising broader industrial adoption.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1684414</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1684414</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Influence of milling time and binder composition on phase evolution in WC-based composite powders fabricated via high-energy ball milling]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Madina Aidarova</author><author>Sherzod Kurbanbekov</author><author>Aibar Kizatov</author><author>Azamat Urkunbay</author><author>Lyaila Bayatanova</author><author>Małgorzata Rutkowska-Gorczyca</author><author>Yulduz Amangeldiyeva</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Cobalt-free WC-(Fe/Ni) composite powders were evaluated as practical alternatives to WC-Co, with emphasis on how the post-milling powder state governs downstream processing. Blends of 88 wt% WC-12 wt% Fe, 88 wt% WC-12 wt% Ni, and 88 wt% WC-6 wt% Fe-6 wt% Ni were ball-milled for 0–4 h at 500 rpm in Ar. Phase constitution was assessed by X-ray diffraction; crystallite size and microstrain were quantified by Williamson-Hall/Scherrer; particle-size distributions (PSD) were measured by laser diffraction and benchmarked against SEM. Across all series, WC and metallic binder were retained while W2C/W remained at trace levels (<1%). In WC-FeNi, the free-Ni fraction decreased (1.9 → 0.5%) and Fe increased (9.5 → 23.6%), indicating formation of an Fe(Ni) solid solution during milling. WC crystallites refined from ∼50-55 nm to 22.6 nm (WC-Fe), 20.7 nm (WC-Ni), and 21.1 nm (WC-FeNi) by 4 h, with most refinement achieved within 0–2 h. In parallel, PSD shifted to larger particle sizes due to cold welding: D50 increased 3.40 → 10.30 µm (Fe), 2.87 → 7.27 µm (Ni), and 4.11 → 7.42 µm (FeNi), while PSD/SEM jointly evidenced multigrain aggregates in the 5–10 µm range. This establishes an inverse micro/nano linkage wherein agglomerates coarsen as WC crystallites refine. Among the chemistries, WC-FeNi at 1–2 h provided the most balanced outcome ∼21 nm crystallites, moderate microstrain, and limited D50 growth defining a preferred window for uniform compaction and sintering. These results clarify processing–structure relations in cobalt-free WC composites and outline a short-duration milling strategy to engineer powder-state attributes for improved sinterability.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1611316</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1611316</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Physical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of charcoal briquettes produced from mangrove branch wood]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Arif Nuryawan</author><author>Jhonny Simatupang</author><author>Iwan Risnasari</author><author>Taufiq Bin Nur</author><author>Widya Fatriasari</author><author>Mohammad Basyuni</author><author>Hardiansyah Tambunan</author><author>Sentagi Sesotya Utami</author><author>Bora Jeong</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionCharcoal briquettes serve as a renewable energy source to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and meet global market demands.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of charcoal briquettes made from the branches of three mangrove species and analyze the influence of the presence of bark and different species of mangrove wood branches on the properties of charcoal briquettes.MethodsCharcoal briquettes were manufactured from branches of three mangrove species: “bakau hitam” (Rhizophora mucronata), “tancang” (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza), and “mata buaya” (Bruguiera sexangula). The production process began with the conversion of branch wood (with and without bark), followed by carbonization using the pyrolysis method, grinding the charcoal into particle size, mixing with starch adhesive, and making charcoal briquettes with a size of 5 cm × 15 cm in a cylindrical shape.Results and DiscussionsThese results indicated that mangrove branch wood is highly suitable as a raw material for charcoal briquettes. The charcoal briquettes met the ISO/TS 17225-8:2016 TW1H standard, with values below 8% for moisture and above 5,016 cal/g for energy content. The results ranged from 0.00% to 6.46% and 6225–7,088 cal/g, respectively. Statistically, there were no significant differences in the properties observed among the charcoal briquettes, either based on the presence of bark (with and no bark) or the species of mangroves. These results demonstrated that mangrove woody branches could meet the industrial standard for making charcoal briquettes and that mangrove forest as the raw material source would be sustainable because only woody branches were utilized as bioenergy source.]]></description>
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