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Macromol
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Functional Polymer-Based Materials
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Functional Polymer-Based Materials

A special issue of Macromol (ISSN 2673-6209).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 18042

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paul Joseph

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
Interests: polymer synthesis; environmentally sustainable flame retardant materials; cellulosic combustion and bush fires; waste recycling/management; adaptation of the existing processes/strategies towards more effective means of combustion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Svetlana Tretsiakova-McNally

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland, UK
Interests: chain-growth polymers; combustion; thermal decomposition; flammability; fire retardants; ligno-cellulosic materials; waste recycling and management; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Malavika Arun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
Interests: polymer processing; polymer engineering; polymer syntheses and characterisation; functional materials; combustion chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are still going through unprecedented times in which there are serious issues related to the production and distribution of polymeric components that are much needed for everyday life. The main driver for the growth of the global economy in the post-pandemic period is expected to be hinged on fast-paced construction and more efficient transportation coupled with better logistic strategies. In the forefront of such a concerted drive, the advent and wider usage of novel, smart, and functional materials is of paramount importance. For this Special Issue, “Functional Polymeric Materials”, we welcome the submission of original articles and reviews (i.e., overviews, in-depth reviews, and critical treatises) exploring, but not limited to, the following topics:

  1. Novel synthetic macromolecules with tailor-made properties
  2. Sustainable and bio-sourced polymeric materials
  3. Biodegradable and biocompatible polymers
  4. Polymeric components as drug delivery systems
  5. Water-soluble polymers and their applications
  6. Polymeric network and gels
  7. Porous polymers
  8. Smart and stimuli responsive polymers
  9. Fibre-forming and natural polymers
  10. High-temperature- and fire-resistant polymers
  11. Inorganic and hybrid materials
  12. Degradation and recycling of polymeric products
  13. Conformational behaviours and theoretical aspects of macromolecules

Dr. Paul Joseph
Dr. Svetlana Tretsiakova-McNally
Dr. Malavika Arun
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 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. Macromol is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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

  • polymer syntheses and analogous reactions
  • general and specific characterization techniques
  • properties and applications
  • bespoke and high-end utility of materials
  • structure and property correlations
  • theory, modelling, and simulation of polymeric systems

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 2141 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Food Packaging with Chitosan Biofilm Reinforced with Nanocellulose and Essential Oils
by Sofia J. Silva, Nsevolo Samba, José Mendes, João R. A. Pires, Carolina Rodrigues, Joana Curto, Arlindo Gomes, Ana Luísa Fernando and Lúcia Silva
Macromol 2023, 3(4), 704-722; https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol3040040 - 10 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1876
Abstract
Active packaging with biobased polymers aim to extend the shelf life of food and to improve the environmental sustainability of the food industry. This new concept was tested with samples of fresh poultry meat wrapped with chitosan reinforced with 2.5% of commercial nanocellulose [...] Read more.
Active packaging with biobased polymers aim to extend the shelf life of food and to improve the environmental sustainability of the food industry. This new concept was tested with samples of fresh poultry meat wrapped with chitosan reinforced with 2.5% of commercial nanocellulose (NC) incorporating 1% of essential oils (EO) from Aloysia citrodora (ACEO) and Cymbopogon citratus (CCEO). The performance of the bionanocomposites containing EOs was assessed and compared with unwrapped meat samples and samples wrapped with chitosan/NC, during a 13 day period of refrigerated storage for several physicochemical parameters related to food deterioration and microbial growth. Wrapping the meat with the chitosan/NC polymer helped to increase the shelf life of the meat. The incorporation of EOs added extra activity to the biocomposites, further delaying the meat deterioration process, by halting the lipid oxidation and the Enterobactereaceae growth until the 9th day. The composition of both EOs was similar, with the main components contributing to the increased activity of the biopolymers being geranial and neral. The performance of ACEO surpassed that of CCEO, namely on the Enterobactereaceae growth. This trend may be associated with ACEO’s higher phenolic content and the higher antioxidant activity of the compounds released by the ACEO biopolymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer-Based Materials)
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12 pages, 1831 KiB  
Article
Biopolymeric Membranes with Active Principle of Olive Leaves (Olea europaea L.) for Potential Topical Application
by Rafael Carvalho Alves, Camila Ramão Contessa, Caroline Costa Moraes and Gabriela Silveira da Rosa
Macromol 2023, 3(2), 314-325; https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol3020020 - 1 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1579
Abstract
The biggest challenge for scientists is to create an ideal wound dressing that should be non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable, providing optimal conditions for the most effective regeneration process. Biomaterials loaded with plant-derived compounds show better biocompatibility and biological properties, ensuring a faster tissue [...] Read more.
The biggest challenge for scientists is to create an ideal wound dressing that should be non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable, providing optimal conditions for the most effective regeneration process. Biomaterials loaded with plant-derived compounds show better biocompatibility and biological properties, ensuring a faster tissue repair process. In order to develop membranes with good mechanical properties and anti-bacterial properties, the objective of this work describes the synthesis of a chitosan-based membrane added with olive leaf extract as an active principle with potential for topical application. The material developed was characterized in terms of morphology, physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, and the anti-bacterial capacity of the membranes. The results indicated that the developed membrane has good potential for use as a wound dressing, as it presented mechanical properties (30.17 ± 8.73 MPa) and fluid draining capacity (29.31 ± 1.65 g·m−2·h−1) adequacy. In addition, the antimicrobial activity analysis revealed the active membrane potential against E. coli and S. aureus reaching 9.9 mm and 9.1 mm, respectively, in inhibition zones, the most common bacteria in skin wounds. Therefore, all the results indicate that the developed membrane presents viable characteristics for the use of wound dressing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer-Based Materials)
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10 pages, 6089 KiB  
Article
Easy Cell Detachment and Spheroid Formation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Two-Dimensional Colloidal Arrays
by Goshi Kuno and Akikazu Matsumoto
Macromol 2023, 3(2), 224-233; https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol3020014 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1988
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may develop into any form of cell and are being intensively investigated. The influence on iPSCs of nanostructures generated using two-dimensional colloidal arrays was examined in this study. Colloidal arrays were formed using the following procedure. First, core–shell [...] Read more.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may develop into any form of cell and are being intensively investigated. The influence on iPSCs of nanostructures generated using two-dimensional colloidal arrays was examined in this study. Colloidal arrays were formed using the following procedure. First, core–shell colloids were adsorbed onto a glass substrate using a layer-by-layer method. Second, the colloids were immobilized via thermal fusion. Third, the surface of the colloids was modified by plasma treatment. By adjusting the number density of colloids, cultured iPSCs were easily detached from the substrate without manual cell scraping. In addition to planar culture, cell aggregation of iPSCs attached to the substrate was achieved by combining hydrophilic surface patterning on the colloidal array. Multilayered cell aggregates with approximately four layers were able be cultured. These findings imply that colloidal arrays might be an effective tool for controlling the strength of cell adhesion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer-Based Materials)
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14 pages, 3540 KiB  
Article
Soft Elastomers Based on the Epoxy–Amine Chemistry and Their Use for the Design of Adsorbent Amphiphilic Magnetic Nanocomposites
by Magda Lorena Arciniegas Vaca, Jimena S. Gonzalez and Cristina E. Hoppe
Macromol 2022, 2(3), 426-439; https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol2030027 - 2 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2133
Abstract
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based soft elastomers, bearing tertiary amine and hydroxyl groups, were synthesized in bulk from the epoxy–amine reaction between poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) and a poly(etherdiamine), Jeffamine ED600. High gel fractions (≥0.95) and low glass transition temperatures (Tg ≈ −50 °C) [...] Read more.
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based soft elastomers, bearing tertiary amine and hydroxyl groups, were synthesized in bulk from the epoxy–amine reaction between poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) and a poly(etherdiamine), Jeffamine ED600. High gel fractions (≥0.95) and low glass transition temperatures (Tg ≈ −50 °C) were attained after complete curing of the systems in bulk. The amphiphilicity of the network allowed the swelling of the materials in both aqueous solutions and a variety of organic solvents. Magnetic nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ coprecipitation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in the elastomeric matrix. The obtained materials were processed by cryogenic milling to obtain powders that were tested as potential magnetic adsorbents and that showed a fast and strong response to the action of a permanent magnet. These materials showed removal rates of at least 50% in 10 min when used in the adsorption of Cu+2 ions from an aqueous solution, making them interesting candidates for the design of magnetically separable metal ion adsorbents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer-Based Materials)
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Review

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22 pages, 1794 KiB  
Review
Potential Agricultural Uses of Micro/Nano Encapsulated Chitosan: A Review
by Melissa García-Carrasco, Octavio Valdez-Baro, Luis A. Cabanillas-Bojórquez, Manuel J. Bernal-Millán, María M. Rivera-Salas, Erick P. Gutiérrez-Grijalva and J. Basilio Heredia
Macromol 2023, 3(3), 614-635; https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol3030034 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3664
Abstract
Chitosan is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible natural biopolymer widely used as a nanocarrier, emulsifier, flocculant, and antimicrobial agent with potential applications in industry. Recently, chitosan has been used as an encapsulating agent for bioactive plant compounds and agrochemicals by different technologies, such [...] Read more.
Chitosan is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible natural biopolymer widely used as a nanocarrier, emulsifier, flocculant, and antimicrobial agent with potential applications in industry. Recently, chitosan has been used as an encapsulating agent for bioactive plant compounds and agrochemicals by different technologies, such as spray-drying and nanoemulsions, to enhance antimicrobial activity. Chitosan nanocomposites have been shown to increase potential biocidal, antibacterial, and antifungal activity against pathogens, presenting higher stability, decreasing degradation, and prolonging the effective concentration of these bioactive compounds. Therefore, the objective of this work is to review the most outstanding aspects of the most recent developments in the different methods of encapsulation of bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds, essential oils, among others) from plants, as well as the applications on phytopathogenic diseases (fungi and bacteria) in vitro and in vivo in cereal, fruit and vegetable crops. These perspectives could provide information for the future formulation of products with high efficacy against phytopathogenic diseases as an alternative to chemical products for sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer-Based Materials)
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45 pages, 5788 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Electrospun Fibers for Biological Applications
by Bénédicte Fromager, Emilie Marhuenda, Benjamin Louis, Norbert Bakalara, Julien Cambedouzou and David Cornu
Macromol 2023, 3(3), 569-613; https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol3030033 - 16 Aug 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2470
Abstract
Electrospinning is a simple and versatile method to generate nanofibers. Remarkable progress has been made in the development of the electrospinning process. The production of nanofibers is affected by many parameters, which influence the final material properties. Electrospun fibers have a wide range [...] Read more.
Electrospinning is a simple and versatile method to generate nanofibers. Remarkable progress has been made in the development of the electrospinning process. The production of nanofibers is affected by many parameters, which influence the final material properties. Electrospun fibers have a wide range of applications, such as energy storage devices and biomedical scaffolds. Among polymers chosen for biological scaffolds, such as PLA or collagen, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) has received increasing interest in recent years due to its excellent characteristics, such as spinnability, biocompatibility, and commercial viability, opening the way to new applications in the biotechnological field. This paper provides an overview of the electrospinning process of a large range of polymers of interest for biomedical applications, including PLA and PEO. It covers the main parameters and operation modes that affect nanofiber fabrication. Their biological applications are reviewed. A focus is placed on PAN fiber formation, functionalization, and application as scaffolds to allow cell growth. Overall, nanofiber scaffolds appear to be powerful tools in medical applications that need controlled cell culture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer-Based Materials)
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36 pages, 3108 KiB  
Review
Cross-Linked Polymeric Gels and Nanocomposites: New Materials and Phenomena Enabling Technological Applications
by Cesar A. Barbero, María V. Martínez, Diego F. Acevedo, María A. Molina and Claudia R. Rivarola
Macromol 2022, 2(3), 440-475; https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol2030028 - 2 Sep 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3424
Abstract
Cross-linked gels are synthesized by homo- and copolymerization of functionalized acrylamides. The gels swell in aqueous solution, and some of them (e.g., poly(N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM)) also in organic solvents of low polarity (e.g., dichloromethane), making the gels amphiphilic materials. Nanocomposites can be made by [...] Read more.
Cross-linked gels are synthesized by homo- and copolymerization of functionalized acrylamides. The gels swell in aqueous solution, and some of them (e.g., poly(N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM)) also in organic solvents of low polarity (e.g., dichloromethane), making the gels amphiphilic materials. Nanocomposites can be made by dispersing nanoparticles (metallic, graphene, nanotubes, and conducting polymers) inside the gels. Additionally, true semi-interpenetrated networks of polyaniline (PANI) inside PNIPAM gels can be prepared by swelling the gel in true solutions of PANI in NMP. PNIPAM-based nanocomposites show a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition of the gel matrix, which can be reached by thermal heating or absorption of electromagnetic radiation (light, microwaves, radiofrequency) in the conductive nanomaterials. The characteristic properties (swelling degree and rate, LCST, solute partition, mass transport, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility) can be tuned by changing the functional groups in the copolymers and/or the other components in the nanocomposite. Mass transport and mechanical properties can be adjusted by forming materials with macro- (nanoporous and macroporous), micro- (microgels, thin films, Pickering emulsions), or nano- (nanogels, stabilized nanoparticles) sized features. The material properties are used to produce technological applications: sensors, actuators, controlled release, biological cell scaffolds and surfaces, antimicrobial, carriers of bioactive substances, and matrixes to immobilize enzymes and yeast cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer-Based Materials)
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