Polymer/Nanoparticles Composites Materials as a Tool for Biotechnology and Optoelectronics Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Nanocomposite materials, i.e., a class of nanomaterials wherein one or more phases at nano-sized dimension (0D, 1D, or 2D) are embedded within ceramic, metal, or polymeric materials, have gained attention in recent years due to their synergistic properties that are not present in individual, discrete, components, even at very low concentrations. The property of an individual structural unit of nanomaterials can be tailored by adding single or multiple components to different matrices. Due to their nano-sized dimension, nanocomposites exhibit multifunctional properties such as high surface-to-volume ratios, high thermal resistance, good mechanical strength, and redox and catalytic activity. Many nanocomposites, such as polymer-metal, metal-metal oxide nanohybrid materials, and carbon–metal nanomaterials, can be used for the fabrication of enzymatic sensors, wastewater treatment, hydrogels, tissue engineering, energy storage/conversion systems, and material coatings, among other application areas.

This Special Issue focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of polymer-based nanocomposites in the field of biotechnology and optoelectronics. Research articles and reviews concerning a combination of soft and hard nanomaterials, such as conducting and semi-conducting, insulating, thermoplastic, and elastomeric polymers (both natural or synthetic), with nanocarbons and inorganic nanoparticles (metal and metal oxides nanoparticles) highlighting enhanced functional and/or mechanical properties, are highly encouraged.

Dr. Ilaria Fratoddi
Dr. Sara Cerra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• nanocomposites
• polymeric materials
• inorganic nanoparticles
• organic nanoparticles
• hybrid materials
• material characterization
• functional materials