Perspective
Polyhydroxyalkanoates in emerging recycling technologies for a circular materials economy
This paper discusses the scale-up feasibility and industrial adoption of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), emphasizing the need to link PHA development with recycling technologies and highlighting strategies for designing PHAs for closed-loop recycling.
Paper
Conductive MXene nanosheets infused in protein fiber hydrogels for bioprinting and thin film electrodes
Conductive hydrogels were fabricated by loading MXene nanosheets into proteinaceous curli fiber hydrogels. The nanocomposites synergistically combine the properties of MXene and curli, forming mechanically and electrically tunable soft electronics.
Paper
Engineering lignin-derivable diacrylate networks with tunable architecture and mechanics
Thermomechanical properties are tuned by varying diacrylate content and size in lignin-derivable networks, highlighting the design of processable, fully renewable, and performance-driven (meth)acrylate networks using network engineering approaches.
Paper
Converting commercial-grade silicone into a vitrimer using elemental sulfur
Dynamic S–S bonds are incorporated into silicone, making it repairable, which presents an environmentally friendly approach to minimising silicone waste.
Paper
Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT blends with epoxidized canola oil for 3D printing applications
This article outlines an environmentally friendly strategy for producing toughened and compatibilized PLA/PBAT blends, using epoxidized canola oil. Additionally, it explores the potential of these blends for use in 3D printing.
Paper
Lignin-derivable, thermoplastic, non-isocyanate polyurethanes with increased hydrogen-bonding content and toughness vs. petroleum-derived analogues
This work highlights lignin-derivable, thermoplastic, non-isocyanate polyurethanes as potential alternatives to petroleum-derived analogues with increased toughness and processability due to the functionality of lignin-aromatics (methoxy groups).
Paper
Blending recombinant amyloid silk proteins generates composite fibers with tunable mechanical properties
Blending diverse amyloid-silk proteins enables creation of mechanically programmable composite fibers and adjusting the blending ratio provides precise control over fiber mechanical behavior to specifically tailor them for diverse applications.
Paper
Dispersing uncharged cellulose nanocrystals through a precipitation surface modification route using oligosaccharides
A single step method to liberate individual HCl(g)-CNCs is reported. Importantly, this modification requires use of only oligosaccharides as surface modifiers and results in ubiquitous improvements to the isolation and dispersibility of these CNCs.
Paper
Crosslinker energy landscape effects on dynamic mechanical properties of ideal polymer hydrogels
Reversible crosslinkers can enable several desirable mechanical properties, such as improved toughness and self-healing, when incorporated in polymer networks for bioengineering and structural applications.
Paper
Dispersion engineering of cellulose nanofibres in polyols: for controlled microstructure of high-performance polyurethane foam
An efficient control over the microstructure and physical properties of polyurethane foam is demonstrated through dispersion engineering of cellulose nanofibre, a biosourced nanoadditive, in polyols with a broad range of rheological characteristics.
About this collection
Guest Edited by Samantha L. Kristufek (Texas Tech University, USA) and Eleftheria Roumeli (University of Washington, USA). Natural materials have become an interest for constructing high performance sustainable materials. Renewable resources, such as nature-derived small molecules and polymers, are being used and various applications have been implemented for the materials generated. This special collection broadly focuses on the synthesis of high performance materials from natural building blocks, including natural product-based polymers, biomass use, and novel circular approaches using natural materials.