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Polymers
Special Issues
Synthesis and Applications of Polymer-Based Green Composites
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Synthesis and Applications of Polymer-Based Green Composites

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2023) | Viewed by 6461

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ivan Ristic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: polymer synthesis; polyurethanes; polylactide; biodegradable polymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There are many drivers for innovation in polymer science, with the most prominent being targeting of more environmentally friendly technologies and higher levels of functionality and durability of polymer composites. This is not simply a marketing claim but, rather, will be a trend in the future. These materials deserve attention for further research because they represent a major step toward solving the problem of environmental pollution. Such pollution issues can be resolved if these “green polymer composites” are based on renewable raw materials.

Industrial, academic, and government organizations are increasingly demanding that modern polymer science research use renewable raw materials instead of fossil-based ones. Biobased plastics are being produced to restrict the use of plastics derived from petrochemicals. The creation of (bio)degradable, recyclable, and/or sustainable polymers is a key solution to reduce the use of fossil-derived chemicals. The rising prices of petroleum chemicals and the depletion of fossil resources have been factors that have triggered the reconsideration of plastics manufacturing and usage. Both regulatory agencies and customers are showing increased demand for the production of more sustainable and environmentally friendly processes and materials. Reducing dependence on petrochemical raw materials and achieving sustainable production has led to the development of new products from renewable raw materials, following circular economy principles. In some cases, biobased polymers do not have properties suitable for specific applications, and production of composite materials has proved sufficient for improving the characteristics and efficiency. However, modern green polymer composites are being developed that are ecologically sound, significantly reduce pollution, and have a minimal impact on human health. The combination of traditional/or biobased polymers and reinforcement fillers can provide green polymer composites that are able to meet the requirements of different industries for the production of some special parts. 

From a holistic perspective, this Special Issue is fully aligned with the development objectives of green economy and, in particular, scientific and industrial priorities through the development of innovative biobased polymer composites for high-value applications. Substituting petrochemical compounds with safer and more sustainable biobased alternatives in composites enables the development of innovative biobased products that may fulfill the needs of society. 

Dr. Ivan Ristic
Guest Editor

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. Polymers 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 2700 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.

Keywords

  • biobased polymer
  • green composites
  • sustainable polymer composites
  • biodegradable materials
  • polymer synthesis

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1943 KiB  
Article
Dragon Fruit Peel Extract Enriched-Biocomposite Wrapping Film: Characterization and Application on Coconut Milk Candy
by Wantida Homthawornchoo, Nur Fairuza Syahira Mohamad Hakimi, Orapan Romruen and Saroat Rawdkuen
Polymers 2023, 15(2), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020404 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3279
Abstract
Bio-based film is an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based packaging film. The effects of biocomposite wrapping film enhanced with dragon fruit peel extract (0, 2% w/v, respectively) and currently used commercial packaging film (polypropylene; PP) on coconut milk caramels during storage [...] Read more.
Bio-based film is an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based packaging film. The effects of biocomposite wrapping film enhanced with dragon fruit peel extract (0, 2% w/v, respectively) and currently used commercial packaging film (polypropylene; PP) on coconut milk caramels during storage (30 °C, 75% RH, nine days) were studied. Both 0% and 2% DPE-enriched biocomposite films were thicker and had higher water vapor permeability and solubility than the PP film but poorer mechanical characteristics. In addition, the 2% film possessed antioxidants and antioxidant ability. A FESEM micrograph revealed the rough surface and porous path of the biocomposite films. Over the storage time, the moisture content, water activity, and springiness of the coconut milk caramel candy wrapped in the PP and all DPE-enriched biocomposite films were not significantly altered. However, the lipid oxidation as the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and hardness of all coconut caramels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased during storage. Furthermore, the hardness of coconut candy covered in the control (0% DPE) biocomposite film was more pronounced on day nine of storage. However, the changes in quality characteristics of the coconut candy wrapped in each film type need to be better established. The investigating factors influencing the quality deterioration of coconut milk candy should be further identified to mitigate their effects and extend the shelf-life of the coconut candy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Polymer-Based Green Composites)
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12 pages, 1576 KiB  
Article
Investigation on Some Algal Extracts as Appropriate Stabilizers for Radiation-Processed Polymers
by Traian Zaharescu and Carmen Mateescu
Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4971; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224971 - 16 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1056
Abstract
This study presents the appropriate solution, algal extracts, for the improvement of polymer durability when the material is subjected to acute oxidation damage. The investigated support, styrene–isoprene–styrene (SIS), is modified by three algal extracts: Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina platensis, and Ascophyllum nodosum [...] Read more.
This study presents the appropriate solution, algal extracts, for the improvement of polymer durability when the material is subjected to acute oxidation damage. The investigated support, styrene–isoprene–styrene (SIS), is modified by three algal extracts: Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina platensis, and Ascophyllum nodosum (Kelp) with a low concentration (1 wt%). The presence of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) ensures the growth of stability with respect to the pristine polymer. The thermal performances of the host polymer, indicated by chemiluminescence, reveal the essential contribution of an additive to the improvement in oxidation strength. The stability of the polymer adjusted by algal extracts is proved by the activation energy values, which increase from 49 kJ mol−1 to 89 kJ mol−1 for the same polymer modified with Ascophyllum nodosum. This main important characteristic is the consequence of the highly efficient activity of the polyphenol components of algal extracts and the effect of the three natural additives on the favorably changed kinetic parameters (oxidation induction time and onset oxidation temperature). The exposure of the polymer matrix to the damaging action of γ-rays does not affect the proper contributions to the fast delay in material ageing. The irradiation of 100 kGy, a usual technological dose, may be successfully applied in the radiation processing of a polymer stabilized with algal extracts due to the efficient protection of the additive as the chain-breaking agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Polymer-Based Green Composites)
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17 pages, 8626 KiB  
Article
Polyimide Layers with High Refractivity and Surface Wettability Adapted for Lowering Optical Losses in Solar Cells
by Andreea Irina Barzic, Raluca Marinica Albu, Camelia Hulubei, Samy F. Mahmoud, Ola A. Abu Ali, Zeinhom M. El-Bahy and Iuliana Stoica
Polymers 2022, 14(19), 4049; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14194049 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1518
Abstract
The performance of photovoltaics with superstrate configuration is limited by the rigidity and low refractivity of a classical glass cover. In this work, two polyimides (PIs) and two copolyimides combined in the main chain cycloaliphatic moieties, aromatic sequences, chalcogen atoms, and having/lacking fluorine [...] Read more.
The performance of photovoltaics with superstrate configuration is limited by the rigidity and low refractivity of a classical glass cover. In this work, two polyimides (PIs) and two copolyimides combined in the main chain cycloaliphatic moieties, aromatic sequences, chalcogen atoms, and having/lacking fluorine atoms, are proposed as shielding covers for solar cells. The samples containing small cycloaliphatic moieties displayed high transmittance above 80% at 550 nm. The refractive index values under changeable wavelengths and temperatures were shown to influence the magnitude of the reflection losses. At the sample interface with the transparent electrode, optical losses were reduced (~0.26%) in comparison to the classical glass (~0.97%). The samples with the best optical features were further subjected to a surface treatment to render the self-cleaning ability. For this, a new approach was used residing in irradiation with the diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD), followed by spraying with a commercial substance. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy scans show that the surface characteristics were changed after surface treatment, as indicated by the variations in root mean square roughness, surface area ratio, and surface bearing index values. The proposed PI covers diminish the optical losses caused by total internal reflection and soiling, owing to their adapted refractivity and superhydrophobic surfaces (contact angles > 150°), and open up new perspectives for modern photovoltaic technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Polymer-Based Green Composites)
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