Biodegradable mulch films (BMFs) are nowadays the alternative to conventional agricultural plastics for widespread cultivation all over the world. However, their long-term environmental impact, particularly concerning the behavior of embedded polymer additives (PAs) such as plasticizers, stabilizers, and antioxidants, remains poorly understood. These additives, not covalently bound to the polymer matrix, can leach into the soil during film degradation, potentially posing risks to ecosystems and human health. This study presents the first field burial investigation into the leaching and transformation of PAs from BMFs in a real-world context. A dual analytical approach was used: (i) targeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to quantify 15 representative additives and (ii) untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to identify transformation by-products. Analyses were performed on both BMFs and surrounding soils over different burial periods. Results show variable leaching behavior influenced by molecular weight, polarity, and polymer affinity. Notably, stabilizers like Irgafos 168 persist in microplastic fragments derived from BMF degradation, suggesting potential long-term accumulation in soil. In contrast, more polar additives such as tributyl-O-acetylcitrate exhibited vertical mobility. These findings provide crucial insights into the environmental fate of BMFs and support the need for improved risk assessment and regulatory strategies in agroecosystems.

This study presents the chemical, thermal and mechanical characterization of two bio-based and fully-recyclable epoxy latent resins derived from pine oil, engineered to meet high-performance mechanical and thermal specifications for advanced composite applications. The characterized latent epoxy resins exhibited glass transition temperature (T _g ) values ranging between 90 and 120 °C, flexural strength and modulus values within the range of 35–110 MPa and 2.5–3.2 GPa, respectively, making them suitable for structural applications. One of the latent epoxy resin was further employed in the fabrication of a hybrid joint comprising metal and CFs reinforced composites characterized by an average ILSS of 11.9 MPa and a maximum load of 1429.2 N, due to a good mechanical interlocking at the metal/CFs interface. Due to its latent curing behavior, the epoxy resin remains stable until exposed to elevated temperatures (≥ 80 °C), at which point cross-linking is initiated. This property affords an extended pot life and improved control during application and assembly. This feature makes the system especially attractive for hybrid manufacturing approaches, where the extended open time supports accurate positioning of fibers and metal inserts. Furthermore, the epoxy resin was cross-linked by using a cleavable amine hardener to achieve full recyclability, so enabling disassembly under mild acidic controlled conditions. This property facilitated the full recovery of constituent raw materials through a targeted chemical recycling process, achieving a 100% recovery yield. The proposed system offers a sustainable alternative to conventional thermoset-based hybrid metal/CFs composite manufacturing and end-of-life management. This class of hybrid joints can find industrial applications in aerospace and automotive sectors, in electronic and optical applications, in sports equipment and biomedical devices, for the manufacturing of next-generation structural solutions, with enhanced performance and versatility, by also supporting the global shift toward circular design and responsible material use.

Environmental pollution caused by the release of hazardous chemicals into air and water poses serious risks to ecosystems, public health, and infrastructure. Addressing these challenges requires innovative materials capable of both detecting and removing diverse pollutants. However, most current materials are designed to target either air or water pollutants, leaving a gap in multifunctional solutions. This study presents a pioneering approach to bridge this gap by introducing two novel calixarene-based cryopolymers, combining the macroporous structure of cryogels with the recognition capabilities of calixarenes. The synthesized materials were found to be valuable tools for detecting and capturing pollutants in both air and water, taking advances from a dual mechanism of absorption: by chelation through the acidic functionality inserted on calixarene scaffold and by a host-guest complex formation with calixarene cavity through cation-π interactions. As an additional advantageous property, they have the ability to detect the presence of NO₂ in the air through an evident color change. These multifunctional materials represent a breakthrough in environmental remediation, offering a single platform for addressing pollutants in air and water, marking a step forward in pollution management technologies.

Innovative functional materials integrating host–guest complexes in cryogels offer promising applications in topical drug delivery, enhancing drug solubility and stability. In this study, we designed and developed a cryogel-based patch for acne treatment by polymerizing an acrylate-functionalized γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and trimethoprim (TMP) inclusion complex with [2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (AETMA) at low temperatures. A multistep workflow was applied to synthesize the inclusion complex via mortar-assisted kneading, followed by cryogel formulation through radical cryopolymerization. The resulting hybrid system leverages the cationic nature of AETMA to promote adhesion and electrostatic interactions with the skin surface. At the same time, γ-CD serves as a drug reservoir, facilitating sustained release of the drug. The system was characterized by FT-IR, TGA, and SEM analyses. In vitro release studies demonstrated a sustained TMP release profile, best described by the Korsmeyer–Peppas diffusion model. Antibacterial assays confirmed the system’s effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus, supporting its potential for localized and prolonged acne treatment. Moreover, cytocompatibility tests demonstrated that the formulation is biocompatible, further validating its suitability for topical application.

The growing prevalence of metallo‐β‐lactamase (MBL)‐producing bacteria threatens the clinical efficacy of carbapenems such as meropenem. To investigate potential strategies for restoring β‐lactam activity, a panel of compounds was evaluated as putative MBL inhibitors and antibiotic adjuvants. The panel included FDA‐approved drugs (carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, an antiviral agent, and a metal chelator), and two novel histidine–pyridine derivatives (D‐ and L‐2‐amino‐3‐(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)‐N‐[2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)ethyl]propenamides). The latter were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Combination assays against Verona Integron–encoded Metallo‐β‐Lactamase 1 (VIM‐1)–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae showed that D‐penicillamine and chlorpropamide restored meropenem activity. These effects were supported by time‐dependent inhibition and checkerboard assays. Molecular docking and MD simulations with the VIM‐1 enzyme further elucidated the putative binding modes of these inhibitors. These results suggest that repurposing the conventional D‐penicillamine and chlorpropamide drugs can effectively counteract MBL‐mediated resistance.