Sustainable Polymers: From Molecular Fundamentals to Real-World Applications
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: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 144
Special Issue Editor
Interests: sustainable polymers; recycled plastics; polymer blends; nanocomposites; biodegradable materials; membrane technology; water purification; CO2 capture; sustainable packaging; advanced functional materials; thin films
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Sustainable polymeric materials are rapidly emerging as a central research area in molecular materials science, driven by the urgent need to reduce fossil-resource dependence, plastic waste, and environmental burden while developing scalable, high-performance materials. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the design, synthesis, processing, characterization, and molecular understanding of sustainable polymeric systems, including recycled polymers, biodegradable and bio-based polymers, polymer blends, nanocomposites, membranes, thin films, 3D-printed materials, and fiber-reinforced polymer composites such as carbon fiber and glass fiber composites.
A particular focus will be placed on connecting molecular-level phenomena with macroscopic material performance. Topics of interest include structure–property relationships, molecular interactions, interfacial adhesion, compatibilization mechanisms, crystallinity, chain mobility, phase morphology, degradation pathways, transport behavior, and theoretical or computational modeling of sustainable polymer systems. Contributions that use molecular characterization techniques, including FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, NMR, XRD, thermal analysis, rheology, microscopy, and simulation-based approaches, to explain mechanical, thermal, barrier, separation, and functional performance are especially encouraged.
The Special Issue welcomes original research articles, reviews, and short communications addressing innovative sustainable polymer formulations and their applications in areas such as packaging, water purification, CO2 capture, barrier materials, advanced separation technologies, environmental remediation, energy-related materials, and lightweight structural composites. Studies on polymer/fiber interfaces, carbon fiber- and glass fiber-reinforced composites, hybrid nanocomposites, recycled composite systems, and bio-based or biodegradable composite materials are also within the scope.
By emphasizing molecular fundamentals alongside processing, characterization, and application-driven performance, this Special Issue will provide a multidisciplinary platform for researchers working at the interface of polymer chemistry, molecular materials science, sustainability, and advanced engineering. The goal is to connect molecular insights with practical, scalable materials solutions for a more sustainable future.
Dr. Zahid Iqbal Khan
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainable polymers
- recycled plastics
- bio-based polymers
- polymer blends
- nanocomposites
- membrane technology
- water purification
- CO2 capture
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