The development of sustainable and mechanically versatile polymeric materials is essential to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly, high-performance products. This study investigates the mechanical properties of blends comprising polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and glycerol diacetate monolaurate, a bio-based plasticizer derived from waste cooking oil, addressing the underexplored combined effects of these components. By varying the proportions, the blends’ tensile strength, elasticity, elongation at break, and hardness were tailored for diverse applications. Incorporating the bio-plasticizer significantly enhanced the PVC’s flexibility and elongation at break, while reducing its tensile strength and rigidity. The addition of TPU further enhanced the elasticity, toughness, and resilience, with the final properties governed by synergistic interactions between PVC’s rigidity, TPU’s elasticity, and the plasticizer’s softening effects. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirmed that the bio-plasticizer enhanced the compatibility between the PVC and TPU, leading to ternary PVC/TPU/bio-plasticizer blends with an improved elasticity and elongation at break, without a significant loss in tensile strength. These blends exhibited a broad range of tunable properties, enabling applications from flexible films to impact-resistant components. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of PVC/TPU/bio-plasticizer systems to deliver high-performance materials with enhanced sustainability. This work offers valuable insights for developing greener polymer systems and advancing the creation of tailored materials for diverse industrial applications in alignment with global sustainability goals.

Polymer blending enhances material properties by combining different polymers, which requires careful consideration of both thermodynamic and technological compatibility. This study investigates the compatibility of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and a bio-plasticizer in blends produced via roll milling at various mixing ratios. Compatibility and morphology were analyzed using thermally stimulated discharge (TSD), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while mechanical and thermal properties were assessed by mechanical testing and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The PVC/TPU (100/30) blend exhibited superior phase compatibility over PVC/TPU (100/50), as indicated by a single relaxation peak in TSD and DMA, along with a more homogeneous morphology and enhanced tensile properties. The PVC/TPU/bio-plasticizer (100/20/50) blend showed a well-balanced mechanical performance and improved phase homogeneity. The TSD peak maxima trends for the TPU/bio-plasticizer blend highlighted the bio-plasticizer’s dual role in enhancing flexibility at low concentrations while restricting molecular mobility at higher concentrations. TGA revealed TPU’s positive effect on PVC’s degradation profile, while the bio-plasticizer reduced thermal stability. These findings demonstrate that blending PVC, TPU, and bio-plasticizer creates compatible materials with enhanced and diverse properties, making them suitable for industrial applications.

This manuscript investigates the effect of MWCNT addition on the morphological and water absorption properties of bio-based polyester nanocomposites made from PLA and PBS. The nanocomposites were produced by the melt-mixing method using a twin-screw extruder. An analysis of the percentage by mass of water absorbed was used to determine the absorption properties of polyesters. The addition of MWCNTs to the polyester matrix is a big challenge because agglomerated MWCNTs can introduce micro-voids and defects that act as a channel for water permeation. The SEM images show that the polyester fracture surface becomes rough with several voids after the addition of MWCNTs. The water absorption properties of bio-based polyesters such as PBS show significant changes (an increase of 185%) compared to pure PBS. These findings reveal that the addition of MWCNTs in a small amount (1 wt%) affects the morphology and water absorption capacity of bio-based polyesters.

This work investigates the effect of recycling on the rheological and thermal properties of petroleum-based polyester nanocomposites. PET and PBT are used widely in the automobile and packaging industries, and there is a growing need for effective ways to utilize recycled polyesters. The melt mixing method was used to prepare the nanocomposites using a twin-screw extruder. After recycling, the rheological properties of the PBT nanocomposite remained stable, as the degradation of PBT chain was low due to the presence of MWCNT and molecular chain flexibility. In contrast, the complex viscosity of PET recycled nanocomposite decreases significantly because the high processing temperature of 280 °C led to substantial polymer chain scission and network breakdown. Due to the presence of MWCNT, PET and PBT nanocomposites show higher thermal stability than pure and recycled nanocomposites. The recycling of PET and PBT nanocomposites demonstrated potent thermal stability under inert and air/oxidative atmospheres. These results indicate that the effect of recycling strongly depends on the polymer matrix: while PET-based nanocomposites exhibit notable reductions in rheological properties after recycling, PBT-based nanocomposites retain stable rheological and thermal performance due to MWCNT reinforcement. The enhancement in this research could make the recycled materials valuable for the automotive industry.

This review comparatively analyzed MWCNT-reinforced thermoplastic polyester nanocomposites based on petroleum-derived (PET, PBT) and bio-based (PLA, PBS) matrices, focusing on processing methods, mechanical performance, thermal stability, electrical behavior, and recyclability. Optimal MWCNT loadings typically ranged from 0.3 to 3 wt.%; higher loadings induced nanotube agglomeration and deteriorated properties due to poor dispersion and stress concentration. Melt mixing, solution blending, direct compounding, and in situ polymerization were evaluated, and their influence on dispersion quality, interfacial bonding, and scalable manufacturability was discussed. PET exhibited the largest improvements in mechanical and thermal performance (tensile strength and modulus increases >300% in optimized systems); acid or compatibilizer functionalization of MWCNT improved PET thermal stability by approximately 20–50 °C and promoted heterogeneous nucleation. PBT reached optimal reinforcement at 0.3–1 wt.% MWCNT, yielding tensile strength increases up to ~57% alongside increased crystallinity and faster crystallization kinetics. PLA generally showed reduced tensile strength after MWCNT addition unless compatibilized (e.g., via plasticizers or grafting), whereas PBS consistently gained strength, modulus, and crystallinity but experienced reductions in ductility. Electrical percolation thresholds varied widely (0.25–14 wt.%), demonstrating that dispersion quality, nanotube functionalization, and processing route governed conductivity and percolation behavior more than matrix chemistry. Recyclability and circular economy aspects were assessed: while PET/MWCNT systems showed promise for mechanical recycling and property recovery, data on repeated reprocessing, CNT structural integrity, and long-term electrical performance were scarce; PBT recycling studies were limited, and PBS/PLA recycling with retained conductive networks remained underexplored. Based on the comparative analysis, key limitations, critical research gaps, and practical recommendations for processing, compatibilization, and end-of-life evaluation were identified to guide future work aimed at enhancing both performance and sustainability of polyester/MWCNT nanocomposites.