Functionalization and Modification of Polymers, Polymeric Recyclates and Films

Dear Colleagues,

The dynamic development of technology, increasing customer demands, and environmental limitations pose significant challenges for science and engineering. We expect the materials we use to have increasingly better and more complex properties. On the other hand, the growing awareness of humanity and the constraints associated with sustainable development limit our possibilities.

The current knowledge and state of technology allow us to make various modifications to materials and their surfaces. We apply a range of less or more complex layers, create intricate composites, add various nanoparticles, irradiate plastics, and subject them to other physicochemical actions. As a result, we achieve many highly attractive features, which sometimes weaken other functions and, unfortunately, can be problematic in the recycling processes after the product reaches the end of its life cycle.

Creating multilayer composites for the construction or packaging industries (especially for the food and medical applications) enables us to develop materials with sophisticated properties, but this usually comes at the expense of their ecological friendliness. Therefore, we are looking for alternative solutions, and in packaging, there is a return to monofilms. Monomaterial films, which are intended to replace multilayer films, will need to be functionalized in various ways to achieve necessary functionalities, such as barrier properties or biostatic qualities.

We are developing material management, ensuring that our materials are eco-friendly and recyclable. A circular economy is one of the fundamental goals, and we are thus paying more attention to biomaterials and their degradation processes. There is a vast scope for research in this area.

In this Special Issue, we would like to present articles on modern materials and composites, technologies for their production, and property modifications. We aim to discuss the functionalization of their surfaces and the related successes as well as challenges. In the era of environmental crisis, an important issue is the recycling and disposal of plastic waste, which is a very significant topic. Recycling is a very interesting process, but it is not without problems, especially concerning composites. The waste from functionalized materials will undoubtedly lead to changes in the properties of recovered materials, which is a very interesting topic. For example, although the addition of nanoparticles in polymers is very popular at present, it does affect the properties of recyclates; this is a fascinating research area that is not yet fully understood.

We invite you to contribute to this publication.

Prof. Dr. Tomasz Rydzkowski
Prof. Dr. Rajnikant Patel
Guest Editors

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• polymer processing and modification
• film modification and applications
• thin films
• chemical engineering
• nanocomposites
• adhesion
• surface modification
• surface energy sfe
• developed interfacial area ratio sdr
• packaging systems
• biodegradadation
• permeability for water vapour and gases
• composites and biocompostes
• recycling issues