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Functional Polymeric Materials: From Synthesis to Applications: 2nd Edition
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Functional Polymeric Materials: From Synthesis to Applications: 2nd Edition

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 April 2026 | Viewed by 2259

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marta Fernández-García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, Superior Council of Scientific Investigations (ICTP-CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
2. Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics towards a Circular Economy, SUSPLAST, CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Interests: polymer chemistry; synthesis and modification of polymers; antimicrobial polymers; active surfaces; material characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alexandra Muñoz-Bonilla

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (ICTP-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Interests: polymer coatings; antimicrobial coatings; biointerfaces; porous surfaces; functional surfaces superhydrophobicity; bioapplications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the upcoming Special Issue of IJMS, focusing on the molecular science of functional polymeric materials on topics from synthesis techniques to applications. We invite leading experts in the field to contribute high-quality papers to this collection, which aims to highlight new developments in the molecular science of functional polymeric materials. This Issue will encompass research on the synthesis or modification of these polymers, as well as the analysis of their chemical, optical, electrical, biological, and biomedical properties. Furthermore, we seek to explore their applications as smart materials, sensors, membranes, and coatings, in energy storage, and in other areas.

Given the growing interest in this area within the scientific community, we encourage the submission of various types of manuscripts, including original articles, reviews, and short communications. All articles should be focusing on the latest research into functional polymers from a molecular perspective.

Dr. Marta Fernández-García
Dr. Alexandra Muñoz-Bonilla
Guest Editors

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • natural polymers
  • bio-based polymers
  • block copolymers
  • micelles
  • polymer chemistry
  • (hydro)gels
  • (bio)applications
  • degradability

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

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25 pages, 6891 KB  
Article
Chemical Modification of Chitosan with Bioactive Molecules: A Sustainable Approach for Advanced Film Development
by Carolina Muñoz-Núñez, Nuria Gómez-Fernández, Alexandra Muñoz-Bonilla and Marta Fernández-García
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110403 - 26 Oct 2025
Viewed by 545
Abstract
This study presents the synthesis of a new chitosan (CS) derivative incorporating eugenol (EU), a natural compound known for its strong antioxidant properties, with the aim of comparing its properties to those of the previously described thiazolium-chitosan derivative (CS-MTBAQ), employed as antimicrobial component. [...] Read more.
This study presents the synthesis of a new chitosan (CS) derivative incorporating eugenol (EU), a natural compound known for its strong antioxidant properties, with the aim of comparing its properties to those of the previously described thiazolium-chitosan derivative (CS-MTBAQ), employed as antimicrobial component. The functionalization was achieved through a thiol-ene reaction, enabling the covalent bonding of EU and thiol modified chitosan (CS-SH). After detailed characterization of the resulting derivative (CS-SH-EU), a comparative analysis of its antioxidant activities was conducted, revealing that CS-SH-EU films exhibited 25% higher antioxidant efficiency compared to those with CS modified with MTBAQ. Both derivatives were incorporated into chitosan-based films at 10 wt%, which were further reinforced with chitin nanowhiskers at two concentrations, 1 and 5 wt%. The antioxidant, mechanical and structural properties of these films were extensively evaluated as well as the yellowness index and water vapor transmission. The inclusion of these derivatives containing eugenol and thiazolium groups and the chitin nanowhiskers enhanced the mechanical performance, water barrier properties, and antioxidant activity maintained the visual appearance. The formulation applied as coating on strawberries was able to extend their self-life by creating an effective barrier. The findings evidence that the obtained films present a promising alternative for developing active packaging materials, combining enhanced antioxidant efficiency with excellent mechanical and biodegradable properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Materials: From Synthesis to Applications: 2nd Edition)
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26 pages, 4818 KB  
Article
Novel Anion-Exchange Resins for the Effective Recovery of Re(VII) from Simulated By-Products of Cu-Mo Ore Processing
by Piotr Cyganowski, Pawel Pohl, Szymon Pawlik and Dorota Jermakowicz-Bartkowiak
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7563; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157563 - 5 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1292
Abstract
The efficient recovery of rhenium (Re), a critical metal in high-tech industries, is essential to address its growing demand and reduce reliance on primary mining. In this study, we developed novel anion-exchange resins for the selective adsorption and recovery of Re(VII) ions from [...] Read more.
The efficient recovery of rhenium (Re), a critical metal in high-tech industries, is essential to address its growing demand and reduce reliance on primary mining. In this study, we developed novel anion-exchange resins for the selective adsorption and recovery of Re(VII) ions from acidic solutions, simulating industrial by-products. The resins were synthesized from a vinylbenzyl chloride-co-divinylbenzene copolymer modified with aliphatic, heterocyclic, and aromatic weakly basic amines, selected from among bis(3-aminopropyl)amine (BAPA), 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine (PIP), thiosemicarbazide (TSC), 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine (AHP), 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine (HEP), 4-amino-2,6-dihydroxypyrimidine (AHPI), and 2-thiazolamine (TA). The adsorption of Re on BAPA, PIP, and HEP resins obeyed the Langmuir model, and the resins exhibited high adsorption capacities, with maximum values reaching 435.4 mg Re g−1 at pH 6. Furthermore, strong selectivity for ReO4− ions over competing species, including Mo, Cu, and V, was noted in solutions simulating the leachates of the by-products of Cu-Mo ores. Additionally, complete elution of Re was possible. The developed resins turned out to be highly suitable for the continuous-flow-mode adsorption of ReO4−, revealing outstanding adsorption capacities before reaching column breakthrough. In this context, the novel anion-exchange resins developed offer a reference for further Re recovery strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Materials: From Synthesis to Applications: 2nd Edition)
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