Development of Antimicrobial Blends of Bacteria Nanocellulose Derived from Plastic Waste and Polyhydroxybutyrate Enhanced with Essential Oils.

The escalating global concern regarding plastic waste accumulation and its detrimental environmental impact has driven the exploration of sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. This study investigates the development of antimicrobial blends of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) derived from plastic waste and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHB), further enhanced with essential oils. The antimicrobial activity of the resulting BNC/PHB blends was tested in vitro against , , and .

Investigation of Thermal, Mechanical and Shape Memory Properties of 3D-Printed Functionally Graded Nanocomposite Materials.

In this study, a 3D-printed photocurable resin was developed by incorporating graphene nanoplatelets functionalised with melamine to investigate the thermal, mechanical, fracture and shape memory behaviours. The objective of this work was to produce a printed functionally graded nanocomposite material that has a smart temperature-responsive structure; presents good thermal stability, strength and fracture toughness; and can demonstrate shape-changing motions, such as sequential transformations, over time. The functionalised graphene nanoplatelets were examined via thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.