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Advanced Polymer Composites: Design, Functionalization and Emerging Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical and Molecular Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2026 | Viewed by 686

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 12/16, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Interests: Polymer composites; elastomers; fillers; hybrid pigments; reinforcement; pigments; aging; mechanical properties; rubber; organic–inorganic systems; ph sensing; carbon black; carbon nanotubes; hydrotalcite; aluminum–magnesium hydroxides; vermiculite; ionic liquids; silanes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid evolution of polymer composite science is reshaping the landscape of advanced materials by integrating tailored architectures, multifunctionality, and sustainable performance. Consequently, this Special Issue seeks to present cutting-edge research at the intersections of molecular design, interfacial engineering, and application-driven innovation. The aim is to explore novel strategies for enhancing structural integrity, optimizing processing, and imparting dynamic functionalities through chemical modification, nanostructuring, and hybridization with diverse fillers. Particular emphasis will be placed on the rational design of interfaces, hierarchical structures, and stimuli-responsive systems that offer precise control over mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Beyond fundamental insights, this Special Issue will highlight the translation of polymer composites into key emerging applications, including energy storage and conversion, automotive engineering, biomedicine, environmental remediation, flexible electronics, and smart devices. By bridging fundamental principles with technological imperatives, this Special Issue will highlight the pivotal role of polymer composites play in addressing global challenges related to sustainability, efficiency, and human health. Interested scholars are invited to contribute research papers and reviews on novel studies of polymers and polymeric materials ranging from basic research to specific practical applications, including (but not limited to) the following areas:

  • Design and fabrication of novel polymer composite architectures;
  • Nano- and microfiller-reinforced polymer systems;
  • Bio-based and sustainable polymer composites;
  • Surface modification and functionalization strategies;
  • Multi-functional composites combining electrical, thermal, optical, or magnetic properties;
  • Smart and responsive polymer composite materials;
  • Mechanical performance and durability studies;
  • Applications in energy storage and conversion (batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells)l
  • Biomedical and healthcare-related composites.

Dr. Bolesław Szadkowski
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Applied Sciences 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 2400 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

  • polymer composites
  • fillers
  • functionalization
  • additives
  • multifunctionality
  • sustainability
  • molecular design

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 6894 KB  
Article
Microhardness Enhancement in Polymer Composites via BaZrO3-Based Ceramic Reinforcement
by Houda Ali Gamoudi, Vesna Radojevic, Aleksandar Stajcic, Milos Petrovic, Bojana Simovic, Dusica B. Stojanovic and Ivana Stajcic
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2529; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052529 - 6 Mar 2026
Viewed by 467
Abstract
Defect-tolerant oxide ceramics offer an alternative reinforcement strategy for high-performance polymer composites beyond conventional silica- and zirconia-based systems. In this work, a novel BaZrO3-Y2O3-SrTiO3 (BZYS) ceramic hybrid was introduced as a reinforcing phase in a polyetherimide [...] Read more.
Defect-tolerant oxide ceramics offer an alternative reinforcement strategy for high-performance polymer composites beyond conventional silica- and zirconia-based systems. In this work, a novel BaZrO3-Y2O3-SrTiO3 (BZYS) ceramic hybrid was introduced as a reinforcing phase in a polyetherimide (PEI) matrix to evaluate its effect on interphase formation, thermal stability and mechanical performance. BZYS powders were prepared by ball milling and incorporated at 1 and 3 wt% into solution-cast PEI films. X-ray diffraction confirmed the preservation of the BaZrO3 perovskite structure after mechanical activation, with a slight lattice expansion, indicating partial ion incorporation and defect-mediated structural accommodation. SEM analysis revealed predominantly submicron agglomerates with homogeneous dispersion at low loading and controlled agglomeration at higher content. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated a systematic increase in glass transition temperature from 202.0 °C for neat PEI to 210.4 °C and 212.0 °C for 1 wt% and 3 wt% composites, respectively, evidencing restricted segmental mobility and interphase formation. Instrumented microindentation showed substantial hardness enhancement of 40% and 83% for 1 wt% and 3 wt% reinforcement, respectively (p < 0.05), with a strong linear dependence on filler content (R2 = 0.9845). The results demonstrate that chemically stable, strain-tolerant BZYS ceramics effectively promote interphase-mediated reinforcement in PEI, establishing a novel oxide-based pathway for mechanically enhanced dental composite materials design. Full article
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