In this research, the benzoxazine-epoxy shape memory polymers with outstanding recovery stress improvement were prepared by filling with highly adamantine silicon carbide whisker at 0–20 wt%. The results revealed that the storage modulus at room temperature increased with increasing silicon carbide whisker, that is, from 5.1 GPa (without silicon carbide whisker) to 8.8 GPa (at 20 wt%). Glass transition temperatures were increased with increasing silicon carbide whisker in the range of 154°C–170°C. Furthermore, all samples exhibited approximately 99% of shape fixity with recovery time ranging from 8 to 27 min. Interestingly, the incorporation of silicon carbide whisker could significantly increase recovery stress from 3.4 MPa (without silicon carbide whisker) to 11.2 MPa (at 20 wt%). Moreover, the addition of silicon carbide whisker provides microwave actuating ability to the sample. Recovery time under microwave heating was significantly shortened to be in a range of 3–5 min. These results suggest potential use of the composites as microwave-responsive sensors and other shape memory devices.

The recent development of separators with high flexibility, high electrolyte uptake, and ionic conductivity for batteries have gained considerable attention. However, studies on composite separators with the aforementioned properties for aqueous electrolytes in Zn-ion batteries are limited. In this research, a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/bio-based polyurethane (PU)/Ti3C2Tx MXene composite membrane was fabricated using an electrospinning technique. Ti3C2 MXene was embedded in fibers and formed a spindle-like structure. With Ti3C2Tx MXene, the electrolyte uptake and ionic conductivity reached the superior values of 2214% and 3.35 × 10−3 S cm−1, respectively. The composite membrane presented an excellent charge–discharge stability when assembled in a Zn//Zn symmetrical battery. Moreover, the developed separator exhibited a high flexibility and no dimensional and structural changes after heat treatment, which resulted in the high-performance separator for the Zn-ion battery. Overall, the PAN/bio-based PU/Ti3C2Tx MXene composite membrane can be potentially used as a high-performance separator for Zn-ion batteries.

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Conventional drug delivery systems often cause side effects and gastric degradation. Novel drug delivery systems must be developed to decrease side effects and increase the efficacy of drug delivery. This research aimed to fabricate hydrogel beads for use as a drug delivery system based on basil seed mucilage (BSM), sodium alginate (SA), and magnetic particles (MPs). The Taguchi method and Grey relational analysis were used for the design and optimization of the hydrogel beads. Three factors, including BSM, SA, and MPs at four levels were designed by L-16 orthogonal arrays. BSM was the main factor influencing bead swelling, drug release rate at pH 7.4, and release of antioxidants at pH 1.2 and 7.4. In addition, SA and MPs mainly affected drug loading and drug release rate in acidic medium, respectively. Grey relational analysis indicated that the composition providing optimal overall properties was 0.2 vol% BSM, 0.8 vol% SA, and 2.25 vol% MPs. Based on the findings of this work, BSM/SA/MPs hydrogel beads have the potential to be used as a pH-sensitive alternative material for drug delivery in colon-specific systems.

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are polymer materials that can fix the temporary shape and then recover to their original permanent shape by external stimulation, i.e. applied heat. In this research, shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) from benzoxazine (BA-a)-epoxy binary systems reinforced with adamantine silicon carbide whisker (SiCw) are investigated. The SiCw contents are controlled to be in range of 0 to 15% by weight. All specimens were fabricated by compression molding technique. The results revealed that the shape memory polymer composites showed higher glassy state storage modulus with increasing amount of the whisker suggesting substantial reinforcement effect of the whisker used. The glass transition temperature (Tg) was also improved from 102°C of the based polymer to the value about 122°C with the addition of about 15% by weight of the silicon carbide whisker. Finally, shape recovery stress systematically increased from the value about 1.5MPa of the unfilled polymer matrix to the value about 3.2MPa with an addition of 15% by weight of the silicon carbide whisker. The positive effect on thermal stability from SiCw addition is expected from the modification and will be reported in this work.