Nanostructuring metal oxides through the soft templating route has been a great interest in research as it enables their structural, physical and chemical properties to be fine-tuned, further rendering them useful for a wide range of energy-storing, catalytic and sensing applications. Particularly, block copolymers have emerged as a class of versatile soft templating materials. Their self-assembly into various morphologies, in bulk or under specific conditions provides an avenue to precisely control the morphology, shape and porosity of the templated material. However, these materials are traditionally made through post-polymerisation processing steps which typically limits the solid content, and therefore, the scalability of the self-assembled material. Nanoscale anatase remains a promising anode material for lithium-ion battery, but successful nanostructuring needs to be achieved to overcome intrinsic materials limitations.[1]
In this presentation, I will present our use of polymerisation-induced self-assembly (PISA) and polymer-coated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as versatile methodologies to prepare polymeric nanoparticles as templates for mesoporous carbon-coated TiO2 (TiO2/C) nanostructures.[2,3,4] PISA presents a scalable method for template synthesis, while CNCs introduce opportunities for biomass use.

Hydrophobic soft matter plays a crucial role in the development of coatings requiring flexibility, water resistance and tunable properties, making it valuable in industries such as wood, construction, automotive, electronics and textiles. Waterborne polyurethane dispersions (WPUs) are environmentally friendly colloidal systems that contribute to sustainable and safe coating applications due to their low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. However, their inherently hydrophilic nature limits their water resistance in some applications. This study explores the synthesis and characterization of novel WPUs modified with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oligomers of varying topologies to enhance hydrophobicity while maintaining mechanical integrity. The effect of incorporating linear, pendant or branched PDMS segments at different concentrations into the polyurethane backbone is investigated to optimize the balance between topology, hydrophobicity and mechanical flexibility. The resulting coatings are evaluated through static and dynamic contact angle measurements and water absorption tests to determine the optimal PDMS topology and content for achieving both high durability and low wettability.


Acknowledgement
This study is supported by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) and Kastamonu Entegre Wood Industry Co. Inc. with Project Numbers 118C042.

Effective heat management is crucial to proper operation of modern electronic devices as well as solar panels and batteries [1]. In many applications, key components providing heat transfer take the form of polymer composites. In such materials one of the most important factors impeding the heat transfer is weak filler-matrix interactions, resulting in filler particle agglomeration and high interfacial thermal resistance [2]. In this work we aim to tackle the problem with an additive providing additional non-covalent interactions between the organic phase and the filler, in this case graphene nanoplatelets (GNP).
The design assumes using a copolymer consisting of a polylactide block, miscible with the polymer matrix, and a block containing large aromatic molecules capable of π-π stacking interactions with carbon nanomaterials. The synthesis involves building tetraphenylporhyrin derivatives into a methacrylate copolymer block, which due to their unique structure and properties poses certain challenges.
Another problem that needs to be addressed is enabling interactions between the porphyrin and the carbon nanomaterial. The commercially available GNP contain residuals from the production process which affect the porphyrin and the way it interacts with carbon layers.
In this work we explore different possibilities to synthesize the additive as well as the ways in which it can help establish the intended interactions between the filler and the matrix in a thermally conductive composite.

Integrating unique properties of molybdenum disulfide(MoS₂) into the polyaniline (PANI) matrix unlocks new functionalities and has widespread applications in energy storage devices, photocatalyst devices, optoelectronic devices, sensors, and detectors[1,2]. Nanocomposite thin films are typically prepared using spin/dip coating and drop casting from a solution, which the solubility of the composite constituent in the solution may constrain. In this work, we report the fabrication of PANI-MoS₂ nanocomposite thin films using the thermal evaporation technique with precise control over thickness and composition. A series of films are fabricated, varying the MoS₂ loading concentration, as evidenced by the presence of characteristic Raman peaks. The thickness of the films is investigated using a surface profiler, finding it to be in the range of 70-120 nm. The contact angle measurement shows that as the MoS₂ loading increases, the film becomes more hydrophobic, indicating enhanced water repellency. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy has been utilized for bandgap calculation to observe the effect of MoS₂ loading in PANI, which reveals interesting bandgap modulation as the bandgap of the nanocomposite decreases with increasing loading concentration. UV-vis transmittance measurements show that the films are highly transparent in the visible range, accompanied by a red shift in the transmittance peak, indicating possible electronic structure modification. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of optical characteristics was carried out using steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL). This study highlights the significant potential of PANI-MoS₂ nanocomposite films as a versatile and effective material suitable for various applications, supporting the development of thin-film nanocomposite technologies.

Quantum dots are an established class of nanomaterials prominent in imaging and therapy due to their ability to interact with light. Recent research has also demonstrated their potential to form radicals by generating an electron-hole pair upon excitation with a light source.¹ Generated radicals can be utilized to initiate free-radical polymerization where the quantum dots act as photoinitiators. In this study, we explore anionic silver indium sulfide (AgInS₂) quantum dots² as long-wavelength photoinitiators in aqueous media. We report, for the first time, the use of AgInS₂ quantum dots to initiate polymerization under various irradiation wavelengths, most significantly the near-infrared region. The nanoparticles remain intact within the produced gels, and preserve their luminescence. This system presents an environmentally friendly alternative to common photoinitators due to water solubility and low energy consumption. Moreover, its two-component simplicity and low equipment cost make it easily scalable while increased curing depth makes it a suitable candidate for industrial applications.

The interest of academic and industrial research on biomass as a raw material and, in general, on bio-based products has grown significantly in recent years. This is driven by the depletion of fossil fuels and the growing societal interest in environmental sustainability. Moreover, legislation in many countries is becoming more and more strict. Thermosetting polymers and particularly epoxy resins are frequently discussed at this level, as the majority are derived from Bisphenol A (BPA), which in addition to being fossil-derived, has also been identified as a reprotoxic compound. To address this, we studied the functionalization of isosorbide and itaconic acid, which are both biorefining chemicals, towards their respective diglycidyl ethers. Furthermore, the diglycidyl ethers were modified with acrylic and methacrylic acid. Identification and characterization of the resins was conducted by NMR, FTIR and EEW titration. The properties of crosslinked resins were evaluated by means of DSC, TGA, DMA and FTIR and were compared to the properties of the respective conventional BPA based epoxy resin. Resins resulting from these processes were used for the formation of composites with nickel salts that were applied as coatings on ABS substrates. The composite coatings serve as a promising alternative to the conventional plating on plastics process by eliminating the steps that involve the use of hexavalent chromium and palladium as a catalyst, as well as the potential risks arising from these steps.

Acknowledgements:
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2021 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101058699.

The escalating environmental issues and water pollution compel innovative solutions for oil-water separation. MXenes (MXs) have garnered significant attention among emerging two-dimensional materials due to their excellent chemical and physical properties including large specific surface area, ease of functionalization, and tunable nanochannels [1]. When integrated into nanofiber membranes, MXs enhanced membrane performance, yielding nanocomposite membranes with superior properties. These MX-based composite nanofiber membranes offer several advantages for oil-water separation, including high separation efficiency, improved mechanical stability, increased flux, and excellent chemical resistance [1,2]. Moreover, MXs tunable surface properties and scalability make them an ideal solution for sustainable and cost-effective oil-water separation applications. However, their poor stability, susceptibility to oxidation, and hydrophilic nature limit their practical applications.
In this study, fluorinated alkyl silane surface functionalization was employed to enhance the hydrophobicity and stability of MX (F-MX). The chemical modification of F-MX was confirmed via SEM-EDX, XRD, FT-IR, and Zeta potential analyses. Nanofiber membranes with different F-MX/polysulfone (1–3 %(w/w)) ratios were fabricated using the electro-blow spinning (EBS) method, which offers high production capacity, narrower fiber distribution, and an acceptable bead/droplet density, under previously optimized conditions [3]. The surface morphology of the membranes was characterized using SEM-EDX, while their wettability was assessed using water contact angle measurements. The oil-water separation performance of the membranes was systematically evaluated by measuring flux and separation efficiency. Separation tests were conducted using diesel, CCl₄, sunflower oil, and petroleum spirit. The results show that F-MX-based membranes exhibit outstanding potential for achieving efficient oil-water separation.

In recent years, infectious diseases have become one of the leading causes of mortality in the world due to the weak antibiotic effect of drugs used in clinical practice against pathogenic microorganisms. This leads to difficult-to-treat infections. Therefore, searching, developing, and applying new highly effective agents with microbiological activity is particularly important in overcoming this. Using photoactive compounds with biological activity gives a new impetus to the study of enhancing their effectiveness after irradiation with light and the application of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. This is a new promising strategy in the fight against the inactivation of a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms, including those that form stable biofilms.
Functionalizing textile fabrics with biologically active substances exhibiting antimicrobial activity is one method for obtaining antimicrobial materials that can inhibit the growth of microorganisms or kill them, as well as prevent the biofilm formation on the surface of textile fibers.
This work presents the results of the first use of hyperbranched photoactive polymers as photodynamic antibacterial agents in solution and after their application on cotton fabric against Gram-positive Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa as model bacterial strains and two respiratory viruses, HRSV-2 and HAdV-5. The generation of singlet oxygen and its role in the inactivation of the growth of pathogenic microorganisms are described.

Acknowledgment: This study is financed by the European Union Next Generation EU, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria, project № BG-RRP-2.004-0008

This study was designed to prepare biocomposites by physical and chemical modifications of commercial cotton woven fabrics with cellulose-based polymers and zinc borate (ZnB) mixtures in order to increase their functionality and preserve their biodegradability. In addition, it presents a significant starting point for the development of eco-friendly and durable textile-based writing materials. Optimum coating conditions and changes in surface properties of cotton fabric were determined by selective oxidation pretreatment of cotton, changing the amounts of ingredients and application methods. Thus these surface changes, an attempt was made to obtain a biocomposite that can imitate traditional paper that can be written on with ink.

The characterization of biocomposite using ATR-FTIR, SEM, and water contact angle measurements was performed. Cotton fabrics modified through physical processes demonstrated excellent ink distribution and retention, even under mechanical stress such as rubbing and washing. SEM micrographs further confirmed these findings, showing a transformation in cotton surface morphology from curled fibers to a more flattened. Additionally, chemically modified samples, particularly those treated with glutaraldehyde, exhibited improved ink retention but fell short of physically modified samples in terms of long-term ink-holding capacity. The findings indicate that these modified cotton textiles have the potential to serve as sustainable alternatives to paper, utilizing simple and eco-friendly modification techniques.

The integration of hybrid textile materials in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) construction has emerged as a significant trend, driven by their performance and competitiveness compared to traditionally used materials. Hybrid textile materials have a multilayered structure consisting of textile carrier and coating layer that serves as a protective barrier against chemicals, contaminations, or extreme temperatures[1]. Modification of the external layer with carbon nanomaterials enhances thermal and mechanical properties without losing flexibility or weight increase[2–4].
This study aimed to prepare and examine hybrid textile materials coated with polyurethane containing 0.25% and 0,5% wt. of graphene, and a textile carrier coated with polyurethane without modifier, which served as reference sample. The nanocomposite layers were produced by high-energy mixing in a planetary mixer (ARV 930 TWIN, THINKY, Poland) and applied using Tape Casting method.
Tearing tests of the materials were performed according to EN ISO 13937-2:2002 using testing machine (INSTRON 3367,UK). The tearing force was approximately 40% higher for layer containing 0,5% wt. of graphene, compared to the fabric without graphene modification. The materials were examined using an optical microscope (Stemi 508,Zeiss, Poland) and a scanning electron microscope (SU-8000, HITACHI, Japan) to access differences in the tearing mechanisms. The results qualify produced materials for PPE applications.

Acknowledgments:This task was completed on the basis of results of research carried out within the scope of the 6th stage of the National Programme “Governmental Programme for Improvement of Safety and Working Conditions” funded by the resources of the National Centre for Research and Development.task no.: I.PN.05

The ever-increasing amount of agricultural and food waste produced requires strategies for valorization and use to reduce its environmental impact in the perspective of a circular economy. Potato by-products are present in significant quantities in European countries and are therefore of great relevance.
Potato derived bioactive compounds, such as starch and lignin, can be used in the production of polymer blends/composites and films for smart food packaging.
Polylactic acid (PLA) (1) was chosen as reference polymer with the aim of improving its thermal and mechanical response as well as imparting it smart properties.
Lignin has been chemically modified (2) with oligomeric PLA branches to improve its dispersability/miscibility with PLA polymer matrix (Figure 1).
An alternative pathway has also been implemented to enhance biomolecules/polymer miscibility. More in detail an A-B-A triblock copolymer was synthesized as compatibilizer, being A polylactic acid segments and B an ad hoc oligomer with a chemical structure resembling the lignin one (Figure 1).
Starch/lignin/PLA films were prepared and subjected to molecular, thermal, mechanical, and functional characterization to test their suitability in the envisioned application.

This contribution is based upon work from P4PACK project (Prot. 20223TTKEL in the framework of PRIN2022) supported by European Union NextGenerationEU and Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research MUR.

Flexible polymeric materials have highlighted several advantages including low density, easy processing and excellent resistance under mechanical stimuli. Nowadays polymer-based flexible materials have seen wide spread, thanks to their attractive properties that make them suitable for sensing in different fields (healthcare, security, environmental monitoring, food safety, agriculture) and for cutting-edge energy storage. Among them, PVA-based hydrogel, can be considered a promising material for their versatility and safety.1-2
In this work, physical cross-linked PVA hydrogels were cryo-structurated in acidic media by freezing-thawing (F-T) methodology. Different parameters (e.g. number of F-T cycles) have been investigated to evaluate the influence of the preparation method on the final material properties.3 Moreover, their porous structure creates a preferred path for charges and external factors as vapours, gases and liquid solutions giving the possibility to be evaluated as a promising matrix for sensing applications studied by electrochemical measurements. Their flexibility and the introduction of specific polymers into the PVA-hydrogel matrix has led to develop piezo-responsive sensors4 and motion sensors.
Furthermore, halochromic dyes based on an azo-substituted diketopyrrolpyrrole (DPP) structure were integrated in the hydrogels to obtain an host-guest system able to switch the color under environmental pH changes. The halocromic and flexible sensors developed have a quick response and color reversibility under both liquids and vapours expositions, keeping the matrix structure integrity with potential application in the field of environmental and food sensing.

Decoration of silver nanowires (AgNW) on stretchable textiles is considered a promising approach for fabricating flexible wearable textiles for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. However, poor contact at wire junctions negatively affects the overall textile performance, such as flexibility, resiliency, and electrical properties in dynamic-adaptive scenarios. In this study, we use poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) for welding AgNW junctions, adding additional conductive channels, and improving AgNW adhesion to the textile substrate. To this end, a durable electrospun polyurethane (PU) nanofiber mat was decorated by AgNWs and PEDOT:PSS using a facile two-step vacuum-assisted impregnation method (PAP). PEDOT:PSS could significantly decrease AgNW usage, improving mechanical stability under extreme tensions and environmental durability against oxidation. The resultant PAP nanofiber mat exhibits 154.5 S/cm electrical conductivity, more than triple times larger than the electrical conductivity of PU-AgNW (PA). Subsequently, the addition of PEDOT:PSS increases the EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of PA from 18.1 dB to 49.1 dB in PAP at an ultrathin thickness of 120 µm. The convoluted interlock network and effective chemical interaction between the PU nanofiber mat and PEDOT:PSS maintain the structural integrity and EMI shielding performance of the PAP nanofiber mat after a thousand loading and unloading cyclic tests. The ultralow concentrations of AgNW and PEDOT:PSS in this study, with superior mechanical stability and electrical properties, make PAP an applicable wearable textile for healthcare, military, and aerospace industries.

Thin films (typically < 100 nm) of block copolymers (BCP) have gained significant interest due to their potential to serve as templates for generating high-resolution (sub-10 nm) patterned surfaces over large areas, useful in various applications (1). Considering a lamellar BCP structure, the interaction preferences of one block component with the substrate and/or differences in surface tensions between the two block components usually induce a parallel orientation of microdomains (2,3). In contrast, balanced interfacial interactions on specifically designed substrates allow the lamellae to orient perpendicular to the substrate, a configuration more useful for applications. Controlling the pattern orientation of such nano-patterns and its stability over time is then of significant importance. In this work, we study thin films of lamellar block copolymers (PS-b-PMMA) with lamellae perpendicular to the surface obtained after
initial annealing when deposited on a 7 nm neutral layer of P(S-r-MMA) grafted onto a silicon wafer. After further annealing the samples, we notice that the perpendicular orientation starts to vanish and completely disappears after several hours. We study the kinetics of tilting via insitu grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) experiments as a function of annealing parameters. The time at which this reorientation occurs is specific to each composition. An AFM examination of the samples after annealing confirms the tilting, which agrees with the observations made through GISAXS.

Energy harvesting refers to the conversion of ambient energy into electrical energy. In today’s economic climate context, harvesting the surrounding energy such as solar, mechanical (human motion) or thermal (from losses) one become crucial. Piezoelectricity converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, while thermoelectricity uses thermal gradients to generate electricity from the Seebeck effect. Conventional piezoelectric materials are ceramics, whereas thermoelectrics are inorganic semiconductors. Polymer-based nanocomposites filled with conductive nanofillers have attracted interest given their flexibility, lightweight and adjustability.

In this work, the materials studied are composites consisting of a piezoelectric polymer matrix (poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) or P(VDF-co-TrFE)) and conductive nanofillers (carbon nanotubes) at different contents. Using a fluorinated polymer is beneficial due to its low thermal conductivity and intrinsic piezoelectric properties, which can be enhanced by low content of carbon nanotubes (1). Adding a higher content of these conductive nanofillers to the polymer matrix provides electrical conduction properties, necessary for thermoelectricity, while keeping a low thermal conductivity (close to matrix value) (2). Thus, by simply adjusting the fraction of these fillers, our material could be either piezoelectric or thermoelectric.

In this work, composite films (500 μm thick) are obtained via solution-mixing followed by a thermal-compression step. Piezoelectric properties have been measured from 0 to 0.2wt% of nanofillers. Thermoelectric properties have also been investigated at room temperature for various MWCNT percentages (0.5 to 60 wt%). Results show a significant increase in the thermoelectric properties for filler contents greater than 5 wt%. The impact of the MWCNT functionalization will also be discussed.

Liquid Crystalline Networks (LCNs) hold significant promise for soft robotics by enabling reversible and complex shape transformations driven by heat or light. Effective actuation relies on two critical factors: the alignment of mesogens and a high density of crosslinks, as actuation emerges from the interplay between entropic elasticity and the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition. Electrospinning has recently emerged as a promising yet underutilized approach for aligning mesogens, leveraging high shear rates and draw ratios to produce non-woven mats or bundles.[1,2] However, challenges arise from the high crosslink density required, achievable by lowering the molar mass of prepolymers. As the latter decreases, spinnability is hampered due to the decrease in viscosity while increasing shear force is needed to align the mesogens. In this study, we address these challenges through targeted macromolecular design, enabling rapid photo-curing during electrospinning to preserve mesogen alignment in the LCN. Specifically, we investigated the influence of the prepolymer’s molar mass and topology (linear or branched). Additionally, we examined how the photoinitiator system impacts fiber morphology and the degree of curing. Under optimized conditions, the resulting LCN actuators demonstrate two-way free-standing actuation exceeding 30%, paving the way for scalable and efficient manufacturing of advanced soft robotic components.

Lignin, the second most abundant natural polymer, is largely underutilized, with less than 5% being used for high-value applications.[1] Transforming lignin into micro-nano-particles enhances its industrial potential, leveraging its low cost, rich functional groups, high surface area, and biocompatibility. These eco-friendly particles hold promise for diverse applications, including drug delivery, catalysis, antimicrobial agents, and advanced functional materials.[2-4] However, controlling the size of lignin micro-nano-particles is challenging due to its complex structure, often resulting in broad size distributions.[5] Herein, we present the synthesis of monodisperse lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) from enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (EHL) via solvent fractionation and self-assembly. EHL was first fractionated using ethanol and acetone to reduce its heterogeneity and next, it was self-assembled through solvent/antisolvent methods. Each lignin fraction was analyzed for its chemical structure using nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopies, and its molecular characteristics were examined via size exclusion chromatography to assess their impact on nanoparticle formation. The acetone fraction produced monodisperse particles, with sizes ranging from 100-1400 nm with the particle size being controlled by the lignin concentration and the addition rate of the poor solvent. Lignin was also extracted from bamboo wood using a reactive eutectic mixture. Next, lignin nanoparticles, with a significantly reduced size (~40 nm) compared to their analogs derived from enzymatic lignin, were attained via nanoprecipitation.
.
Figure 1. SEM images of monodisperse lignin nanoparticles.

Acknowledgments
The research project was financed by the EU HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03-01-Twinning project “Advancing Research & Innovation of FORTH in Green Soft Matter” FORGREENSOFT, (GA No: 101078989).

Thermally stable foams based on polycyanurates of various chemical structures (derived from dicyanate ester of bisphenol A, DCBA, dicyanate ester of bisphenol E, DCBE, and oligo(3-methylene-1,5-phenylenecyanate), PT-15) were synthesized using foaming agents with different decomposition temperatures and gas release volumes . By varying the monomer, the viscosity of the initial reaction mixture, the amount of foaming agent, or the molar mass of the surfactant, polymer foams with pore sizes ranging from ~455–580 µm to ~1–1.5 mm could be obtained. The morphology of the polymer foams was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. A highly porous structure was obtained when using the DCBE oligomer by heating at T ≈ 125°C for 1 hour with the addition of a complex catalyst, zinc (II) acetyl acetonate with nonylphenol, and the foaming agent azodicarbonamide SBZ-2 in amounts of 1 and 2 wt.%. The average pore size in these samples was within the range of 60–220 µm and 200–800 µm, respectively. To assess their thermal insulation properties, the thermal conductivity (k) was determined using the transient plane source method. The k value decreased from 251 mW/m·K for the non-porous matrix to 71–128 mW/m·K for the porous foam samples, depending on the initial composition and the total porosity of the samples, which ranged from 31% to 81%. Mechanical testing of the thermostable polycyanurate foams showed sufficiently high values, with a compressive strength reaching ~49 MPa and a compressive modulus of ~835 MPa. The thermostable foams are promising for application as thermal insulation, particularly in the aerospace industry.