Advances in Hybrid and Functional Gels: Design, Characterization, and Emerging Applications
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Analysis and Characterization".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 18
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Gels, with their unique structural versatility and tunable physicochemical properties, have emerged as promising materials across diverse scientific and engineering domains. Recent advances in gel research highlight their potential in areas such as energy storage, catalysis, drug delivery, environmental remediation, and space propulsion applications.
This Special Issue aims to collect recent progress in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of hybrid and functional gels. Particular attention will be given to gels incorporating novel dopants, hybrid systems that combine organic–inorganic components, and tailored gel structures with enhanced mechanical, thermal, or chemical stability. Contributions that address both fundamental aspects (molecular interactions, gelation mechanisms, rheology) and applied research (green propellants, biomedical engineering, sensors, coatings, and nanocomposites) are especially welcome.
By compiling research from diverse perspectives, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of how hybrid and functional gels are driving innovation in advanced technologies.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Design and synthesis of hybrid gels
- Characterization and structure–property relationships
- Gels for sustainable and green energy applications
- Stimuli-responsive and self-healing gels
- Biomedical and pharmaceutical applications
- Gels in catalysis, sensing, and environmental remediation
- Application of gels in propulsion and aerospace technologies
Dr. Botchu Vara Siva Jyoti
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. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2100 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
- hybrid gels
- doped gels
- functional gels
- responsive gels
- nanocomposite gels
- sustainable applications
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