Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a promising biodegradable polyester, but its low strength limits broader application. In principle, blending PBAT with polylactide (PLA) can combine toughness and stiffness, yet severe immiscibility usually leads to poor interfacial adhesion and unsatisfactory overall performance. Here, a bio-based lignin-epoxy composite compatibilizer (E-FL) was developed by premixing ethanol-fractionated lignin (FL) with a protocatechuic-acid-derived epoxy compound and introducing it into PBAT/PLA blends through reactive melt processing. Fractionation enriched lignin fractions with lower molecular weight and higher hydroxyl content, thereby improving reactivity and dispersibility. During melt blending, E-FL promoted interfacial reactions with PBAT and PLA end groups, increased melt torque and molecular weight, refined the dispersed PLA domains, and reduced the Tg gap between the two phases. At an E-FL loading of 3 wt%, the blend exhibited the best balance of performance, with a tensile strength of 36.1 MPa, an elongation at break of 1035%, and a fracture toughness of 238.3 MJ/m3. This work provides a sustainable strategy for converting lignin into a high-efficiency reactive compatibilizer and offers a practical route to high-performance PBAT-based biodegradable blends.
This paper presents a review of studies devoted to the synthesis, characterization, structure, properties, and functionality of grafted silica/polyacrylamide “core-corona” hybrids as effective nanoreactors and silver nanoparticle (AgNP) carriers for modern nanotechnologies. The evidence and features of direct low-temperature radical polymerization of acrylamide from the unmodified surface of SiO2 nanoparticles are considered in the context of the manifestation of dynamic matrix effects. A simple and reliable method for determining the number and length of grafted PAAm chains is indicated. Using a number of hybrid samples, the effect of these parameters on the particle size, surface charge, height, and permeability of the PAAm “corona” is demonstrated. A two-level fractal structure of hybrids in the bulk state and two morphological forms of their particles in aqueous solutions are established. Based on the proposed approach, the kinetics, mechanism of in situ synthesis, and the yield of AgNPs in hybrid solutions are characterized depending on the concentration of reagents and the “corona” structure. Considerable attention is paid to the possible application of AgNP/hybrid nanocomposites in promising nanotechnologies: in the production of biocidal hygienic materials and textiles, in wound healing, agriculture, fish farming and poultry farming, as well as anti-cancer agents.
The evolution of the skin Industry, together with the consumer’s dream to maintain a younger appearance for living longer, has pushed the industry to formulate and distribute science-oriented cosmetics and diet supplements. Consequently, the worldwide production and selling of cosmeceuticals (specialized Cosmetics) and nutraceuticals (specialized diet supplements) have been notably increased for the consumer request of the Beauty from Within also. Thus the increased studies, formulations, and consumer requests of products more effective and safe. At this purpose the paper reports some data of a new pro-aging formulation controlled in vitro by the use of aged keratinocytes and fibroblasts and in vivo by controlling the skin of 30 selected women aged between 58 and 67 years. The studies have involved the use of an innovative anti-aging/pro-aging cosmeceutical-formulation con eyes by a specialized tissue (carrier-tissue). This tissue, made by selected active ingredients embedded into a biodegradable tissue-vehicle (activated-tissue), has been compared to the same actives embedded into a normal emulsion. The active ingredients used as anti-aging skin-repairing agents have been Nicotinamide, Allantoin, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate enriched by the fish-Collagen-peptides, considered an ingredient useful to increase the product’s penetrability through the skin’s Stratum Corneum when applied on its surface. On the other hand, both the tissues might be used as nutraceuticals also, due to their water-solubility, effectiveness, and safety. The selected and positive results, obtained by both the in vitro by keratinocytes/fibroblasts cultures and in vivo by engineering methods, will be reported and discussed, trying to show the effectiveness and safety of the realized tissues and the innovative cosme-nutraceutical’formulation.
