To improve the toughness, thermal stability, and melt processability of polylactic acid (PLA), this study introduced chlorinated polyethylene-polyethylene glycol (CPE-PEG, 10 wt%) into the PLA matrix and investigated the effect of the content of nano-SiO₂ surface-modified with the silane coupling agent KH570 (K-SiO₂) on the composite properties. Composite filaments were prepared via single-screw extrusion, and standard specimens were printed using fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. Comprehensive characterization indicated that the composite achieved optimal mechanical properties at a K-SiO₂ content of 1.5 wt%; simultaneously, the material’s thermal stability and crystallization behavior were optimized. Rheological behavior demonstrated that K-SiO₂ could regulate the melt viscoelasticity, broadening the FDM processing window. This study provides an effective strategy for developing high-performance PLA composites for FDM printing.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has attracted much attention and shows promising applications in numerous fields. In this study, PLA was plasticized using bio-based castor oil derivatives - hydrogenated castor oil (HCO) and castor oil glycidyl ether (COGE). These eco-blends were measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, a scanning electron microscope, a contact angle test, rheology, a differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and a tensile test, respectively. The findings show that a core-shell morphology of COGE-HCO encapsulation is formed in PLA matrix, and the hydrogen bonding interaction and ring-opening chemical reaction among functional groups of the components greatly improve the compatibility, ductility, cold crystallization ability, and thermostability of the eco-blends, but the melt crystallization ability is hindered. The incorporation of HCO improves the hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of the eco-blends. Due to the combined effect of HCO and COGE, the melt viscosity reduces, and the Newtonian behavior enhances; the nucleation density and spherulitic growth of PLA increase. The strain at break of the PLA/HCO/COGE (90/7.5/2.5) blend reached 221%, which is 22.6 times higher than that of the neat PLA. These eco-blends present appropriate rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties, showing application scenarios in biodegradable packaging and disposable appliances.

We report a green route to Ag–TiO₂ nanocomposites using an Allium tuberosum extract, rich in organosulfur and polyphenolic constituents, as a dual-function biogenic reducer and stabilizer, enabling efficient Ag⁺→Ag⁰ conversion and capping of Ag–TiO₂ without the use of harsh reagents. The nanocomposites are formulated into chitosan-based inks for direct ink writing (DIW) of porous, mechanically robust, reusable membranes (optimal formulation T@5Ag–5ATE–CS) with a homogeneous Ag dispersion. Multiscale characterization (SEM/TEM, XRD, FTIR, UV–vis DRS, EDS mapping) confirms metallic Ag⁰ uniformly decorating TiO₂ and an extended visible-light response attributable to strong localized surface plasmon resonance. Under near-UV/visible irradiation, the membranes decolorize Remazol Midnight Black RGB dye with pseudo-first-order kinetics, yielding k_app up to 5.99·10^–3 min^–1 with R² ≈ 0.99 and outperforming pristine TiO₂. Response surface methodology identifies an optimum at pH 5.67, 28.87 mg·L^–1 dye, and 0.0257 g catalyst, delivering a predicted 96.41% versus experimental 95.07% removal (validation error 1.39%) with excellent model statistics (R² ≈ 0.995). The combined effects of Allium-tuberosum-assisted Ag plasmonics, TiO₂ photocatalysis, and chitosan-enhanced adsorption underpin the high photocatalytic activity and reusability, highlighting a scalable, eco-friendly pathway to printable photocatalytic/antimicrobial membranes for wastewater treatment.

Additive manufacturing is favored for its capacity to create intricate geometries and enhance component functionality more efficiently than traditional methods. Applying texture to materials is one of the processes used to add functionality to products, wherein it can improve adhesion and tribological behavior in biomedical applications while also controlling mechanical properties and providing perceptual and aesthetic improvements. In this study, custom black-white images containing vertical lines were prepared and added as textures to the design of tensile test specimens during slicing. Custom textured and untextured tensile test specimens were fabricated using the Fused Deposition Method with polylactic Acid filament to evaluate the effect of texture parameters, such as protrusion offset (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 mm), number of protrusions (3, 6) and infill pattern (rectilinear, line, concentric), on the tensile strength of the specimens. Through the analysis of tensile test results and examination of microscopic and slicing software images, it was found that texturing resulted in a reduction in ultimate tensile strength due to nozzle trajectory deviations and stress concentration. The least detrimental texturing parameters observed in this study were 0.5 mm protrusion offset and 3 protrusions with concentric and line infill patterns, resulting in a reduction in tensile strength of 2.36 and 5.79%, respectively when compared to untextured specimens.

The proliferation of flexible electronics has entirely transformed the field of antenna design and paved the door for cutting-edge uses in communication, sensing, and other areas. The present research lends a succinct overview of the intriguing advancements in flexible antenna technology, with specific emphasis on the implementation of polymer substrates. As we refer to poly-flex antennas in this article, they stand for the incorporation of polymer substrates in antenna design. Polymer substrates are the optimum candidate for flexible antenna applications as they have specific advantages, including being lightweight, conformable, and inexpensive. The main features of poly-flex antennas, such as their design concepts, fabrication processes, and performance characteristics, are being explored in this proposed article. We delve into the wide variety of polymer substrates that are appropriate for antennas, taking into account their dielectric characteristics, flexibility, and environmental resistance. Their dielectric characterization, bending effects, challenges, and future prospects of this burgeoning field are also addressed. We conclude by emphasizing the immense potential of poly-flex-antennas to shape the future of wireless communication and sensing systems, and how the adoption of polymer substrates is driving innovation in antenna engineering.