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Polymer Biocomposites: Synthesis, Applications and End-Life

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 610

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, University of Palermo and INSTM Research Unit, V. le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: biomaterials; biocomposite and nanocomposites; polymer blends; recycling; environmental engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale dellle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: materials; composite; nanocomposite; geopolymers; recycling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Composites offer significant potential in the field of materials, enabling high performance through the combination of different materials.

In recent decades, the depletion of non-renewable resources, coupled with growing public awareness and concern about environmental health, has prompted industry and research to develop more sustainable materials.

In particular, these concerns have led to a growing interest in syntesis of polymers from renewable sources and/or biodegradable polymers, with the aim of reducing oil dependency and tackling plastic pollution.

However, today, attention is focused more on so-called 'biocomposites', which are composite materials that are more environmentally friendly. The main benefits of these materials include low cost, wide availability, light weight, and greater environmental sustainability thanks to their recyclability and biodegradability. This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences will focus on a collection of excellent research articles and review papers related to the synthesis, chemistry, preparationa, and functionalization of polymers and fillers for the realization of biocomposites.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Novel synthesis methods, molecular design, and functional modifications of polymer materials;
  • Molecular structure, properties, and reactions of polymer materials;
  • Intermolecular interactions in polymers;
  • Use and functionalisation of natural fillers for preparation of biocomposites;
  • Biodegradation.

Dr. Maria Chiara Mistretta
Dr. Manuela Ceraulo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • polymer biocomposites
  • biodegradable polymers
  • molecular design and synthesis
  • functional modifications
  • biodegradation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

24 pages, 3691 KB  
Article
Tailored Biochar–Pseudomonas chlororaphis Composites for Triclocarban Removal: A Feedstock-Dependent Structure–Interface–Metabolism Study
by Changlei Wang, Chongshu Li, Fangrong Wei, Jialin Liu, Yan Long and Jinshao Ye
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2684; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062684 - 15 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Biochar provides a porous scaffold, conductive carbon framework and redox-active surface functional that can promote microbial attachment and extracellular electron flow. However, how feedstock-dependent biochar properties regulate the biochar–cell interface and microbial metabolism during contaminant removal remains insufficiently understood. Here, biochar derived from [...] Read more.
Biochar provides a porous scaffold, conductive carbon framework and redox-active surface functional that can promote microbial attachment and extracellular electron flow. However, how feedstock-dependent biochar properties regulate the biochar–cell interface and microbial metabolism during contaminant removal remains insufficiently understood. Here, biochar derived from rice husk, corn straw and corn cob was used to immobilize Pseudomonas chlororaphis for triclocarban removal in batch microcosms. Multiscale analyses, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometryLC-MS, were combined to link the biochar structure, interface and extracellular metabolism signatures with triclocarban (TCC) removal. Compared with free cells, all composites enhanced TCC removal and exhibited altered interfacial functional-group features together with substantially reduced fitted charge-transfer resistance, indicating facilitated interfacial electron exchange. Untargeted metabolomics further revealed consistent remodeling of extracellular redox-associated metabolite signatures upon immobilization, with increased quinone/polyphenol-associated features and pathway-level shifts related to redox homeostasis. Among feedstocks, the corn cob composite showed the highest triclocarban removal. Overall, this work proposes an evidence-supported “structure–interface–metabolism” framework for interpreting how agricultural-residue biochars modulate biofilm interfaces and redox-related metabolic signatures to improve triclocarban removal, providing guidance for designing biochar-supported bioprocesses for halogenated micropollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Biocomposites: Synthesis, Applications and End-Life)
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