This study presents a hybrid hydrogel system designed for the targeted delivery of letrozole, a key therapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment. Letrozole-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles were embedded within a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) matrix coated onto acrylamide-grafted low-density polyethylene (AAm-g-LDPE), yielding a mechanically stable system with tunable drug release. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and confocal microscopy confirmed uniform microparticle distribution. In vitro release studies in simulated uterine fluid (SUF) at 37 °C demonstrated a sustained release profile over 32 days, with a reduced initial burst effect (~15% lower than conventional PLGA systems). The system’s release kinetics followed the Higuchi model (R² = 0.803–0.996), indicating Fickian diffusion. This hybrid hydrogel offers enhanced drug stability, reduced dosing frequency, and potential for personalized hormone therapy, improving patient compliance, particularly for individuals with physical or cognitive impairments.

This study investigates the development of sustainable nanocomposites using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) and polyamide 11 (PA-11) blends reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). RPET/PA-11 blends were compatibilized with 2 phr Joncryl^® and processed using melt blending followed by injection moulding. The effects of varying GNP contents (1–4 phr) on mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant properties were analysed. The nanocomposite with 1 phr GNPs exhibited an optimal balance of mechanical, flame-retardant, and thermal properties, along with improved dispersion compared to higher GNP loadings. Higher GNP concentrations led to increased stiffness but also promoted agglomeration, which negatively impacted tensile and impact strength. Thermal analysis revealed that GNPs influenced the cold crystallization behaviour of RPET, while the TGA results indicated a moderate enhancement in thermal stability. The maximum degradation temperature (T_max) increased from 410.38 °C to 430.06 °C with 1 phr GNPs but declined at higher loadings. Similarly, flammability tests showed an improvement in the limiting oxygen index (LOI) from 19 to 24. Morphological analysis confirmed that GNPs facilitated PA-11 dispersion within the RPET matrix, particularly at lower GNP concentrations (1 phr). These findings highlight the potential of RPET/PA-11/GNP nanocomposites for multifunctional applications, providing an optimal balance between mechanical performance, thermal stability, and flame resistance. This research highlights the synergistic effect of GNPs in achieving sustainable, high-performance materials, addressing the challenges of plastic waste management and the need for eco-friendly engineering solutions for industries such as automotive, packaging, and construction.

The rapid advancement of sustainable materials has driven the need for high-performance polymer nanocomposites with superior mechanical, thermal, and structural properties. In this study, a novel RPET/PA-11/Joncryl^® nanocomposite reinforced with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) is developed for the first time, marking a significant breakthrough in polymer engineering. Six different proportions of HNT (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 phr) are introduced to the blend of rPET/PA-11/Joncryl^® through a twin-screw extruder and injection moulding machine. The incorporation of HNTs into the RPET/PA-11 matrix, coupled with Joncryl^® as a compatibilizer, results in a synergistic enhancement of material properties through improved interfacial adhesion, load transfer efficiency, and nanoscale reinforcement. Comprehensive characterization reveals that the optimal formulation with 2 phr HNT (NCS-H2) achieves remarkable improvements in tensile strength (56.14 MPa), flexural strength (68.34 MPa), and Young’s modulus (895 MPa), far exceeding conventional polymer blends. Impact resistance reaches 243.46 J/m, demonstrating exceptional energy absorption and fracture toughness. Thermal analysis confirms enhanced stability, with an onset degradation temperature of 370 °C, attributing the improvement to effective matrix–filler interactions and restricted chain mobility. Morphological analysis through FESEM validates uniform HNT dispersion at optimal loading, eliminating agglomeration-induced stress concentrators and reinforcing the polymer network. The pioneering integration of HNT into RPET/PA-11/Joncryl^® nanocomposites not only bridges a critical gap in sustainable polymers but also establishes a new benchmark for polymer nanocomposites. This work presents an eco-friendly solution for engineering applications, offering mechanical robustness, thermal stability, and recyclability. The results form the basis for next-generation high-performance materials for industrial use in automotive, aerospace, and high-strength structural applications.

This study presents a comprehensive kinetic and thermodynamic investigation of dried orange peel (OP) combustion, employing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermogravimetry (DTG) at high heating rates (20–80 K min⁻¹). This gap in high heating rate analysis motivates the novelty of present study, by investigating OP combustion at 20, 40, 60, and 80 K min⁻¹ using TGA, to closely simulate rapid thermal conditions typical of industrial combustion processes. Thermal decomposition occurred in three distinct stages corresponding sequentially to the dehydration, degradation of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. Activation energy (E_a) was calculated using six model-free methods—Friedman (FR), Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Starink (STK), Kissinger (K), and Vyazovkin (VY)—yielding values between 64 and 309 kJ mol⁻¹. The E_a increased progressively from the initial to final degradation stages, reflecting the thermal stability differences among biomass constituents. Further kinetic analysis using the Coats–Redfern (CR) model-fitting method identified that first-order (F1), second-order (F2), and diffusion-based mechanisms (D1, D2, D3) effectively describe OP combustion. Calculated thermodynamic parameters—including enthalpy (ΔH), Gibbs free energy (ΔG), and entropy (ΔS)—indicated the endothermic and increasingly non-spontaneous nature of the reactions at higher conversions. These findings demonstrate the potential of OP, an abundant agricultural waste product, as a viable bioenergy resource, contributing valuable insights into sustainable combustion processes.