Thermal Processes and Thermal Properties of Sustainable Polymeric Materials

Dear Colleagues,

The word ‘Thermo’ originates from the Greek word ‘θερμός’ (thermos), meaning hot. Aristotle (384–322 BC) related each of the four ultimate elements which had been established by Empedocles (c. 494 – c. 434 BC), [γῆ  (gê—earth), ὕδωρ (hýdōr—water), ἀήρ (aḗr—air), and πῦρ (pŷr—fire)] to two of the four sensible qualities. The qualities were θερμό (thermo—hot), ψυχρό (psychro—cold), υγρό (hygro—wet), and ξηρόν (xero—dry). Consequently, from the very beginning of the history of science, heat and thermal properties were put at the center.

Natural polymers such as wood, wool, and cotton cellulose were among the first materials used by man. The combustion of wood has provided people with heat for hundreds of thousands of years. Nowadays, synthetic polymers are materials of everyday life. Recently, sustainable polymeric materials have attracted increasing interest. Polymer processing involves mass transfer, heat transfer, flow, and deformation. An important characteristic of most polymer processes is the softening of the polymer achieved by heating it. Then, to set the shape, cooling or crosslinking is applied. The relation between processing–structure–properties–performance is the main issue to address in polymer science and engineering. In addition, the pyrolysis of biomass which consists of natural polymers, for e.g. cellulose, or the pyrolysis of polymeric wastes are new ways to produce fuels, monomers, and chemicals. Finally, thermal analysis techniques including DSC, TGA, etc., are used in the study of the thermal properties and processes of polymers.

Authors are encouraged to submit their research for this Special Issue. Topics include but are not limited to:

• Thermal properties of polymers
• Thermal processes of polymers
• Thermal analysis of polymers
• Crystallization and melting of polymers
• Thermal degradation of polymers
• Thermo-oxidative degradation of polymers
• Thermal polymerization
• Polymer recycling
• Pyrolysis of biomass
• Thermochemical conversion of biomass
• Pyrolysis of polymer wastes
• Polymer blending
• Extrusion
• Blow molding
• Injection molding
• Heat transfer
• Thermodynamics of polymer processing
• Polymer crystallization kinetics
• Thermochemical processes in biorefineries
• Combustion
• Melt polycondensation
• Temperature control in polymerization reactors

Prof. Dr. George Z. Papageorgiou
Prof. Dr. Johan Jacquemin
Guest Editors

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