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Construction and Applications in Functional Polymers

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 2086

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Textile Science and Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
Interests: high performance fiber paper based materials: enhancement, filtration, electromagnetic shielding, insulation, supercapacitors and other applications; special paper and functional paper; bio-based chemicals and materials: micro/nanocellulose applications, chitosan and starch modification applications

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Guest Editor
School of Textile Science and Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
Interests: self-healing polymers; flexible electronics; polymeric coatings; polymer colloids; hydrogels

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional polymers have gained enormous attention in recent decades owing to their great potential in delivering a wide range of functionalities, e.g., electrical conductivity, strain sensing, thermal conductivity, thermoelectric property, dielectric property, electromagnetic shielding, and microwave absorption. These functionalities are largely determined by the physicochemical properties of functional fillers (i.e., size and shape of fillers) and their network morphology in polymer matrices. Functional polymer materials are a current research hotspot and they are being gradually developed in terms of intelligence, with modifications such as self-healing and stimuli-responsive materials. Functional polymers are applied in many fields, such as flexible electronics, superhydrophobic coatings, drug delivery, tissue engineering, medical devices, food packaging, sensors, actuators, optoelectronics, organic light-emitting diodes, thin-film transistors, batteries, waste water treatment, antifouling, etc.

Functional polymer materials can be constructed on the molecular level with functional groups and/or by introducing functional fillers into materials. Apart from various organic synthesis and polymerization methods, special processing, additive manufacturing, lithography, self-assembly, supramolecular chemistry, and dynamic cross-linking are newly arising technologies that contribute to the construction of functional polymer materials. Their potential applications are widely covered in machinery, information technology, biomedicine, and other fields.

This Special Issue on “Construction and Applications in Functional Polymers” is devoted to showcasing the most recent research in this interdisciplinary field, covering the latest advances in the design, synthesis, and applications of functional polymer materials. Both high-quality original research articles and comprehensive reviews on cutting-edge developments are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Zhu Long
Dr. Pengxiang Si
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • advanced functional polymeric materials
  • construction of functional polymers
  • self-healing polymers
  • stimuli-responsive materials
  • biomedical polymers
  • electrically conductive polymers
  • optical polymers
  • sustainable polymers
  • high-strength and tough polymers
  • superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic polymers.

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 30600 KiB  
Article
In Situ Evaluation of Epoxy Self-Healing Coating by Encapsulated Linseed Oil in Poly(Urea–Formaldehyde–Melamine) Microcapsules
by Lucas Henrique de Oliveira Souza, Michele Fedel, Fernando Cotting and Wagner Reis da Costa Campos
Materials 2025, 18(9), 1906; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18091906 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 244
Abstract
The development of self-healing coatings represents a promising approach to enhance the durability of metal substrates exposed to corrosive environments, demanding thorough in situ investigations. In this study, poly(urea–formaldehyde–melamine) (PUF) microcapsules containing linseed oil (LO) were synthesized via in situ polymerization to act [...] Read more.
The development of self-healing coatings represents a promising approach to enhance the durability of metal substrates exposed to corrosive environments, demanding thorough in situ investigations. In this study, poly(urea–formaldehyde–melamine) (PUF) microcapsules containing linseed oil (LO) were synthesized via in situ polymerization to act as healing agents in protective coatings. The microcapsules were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The capsules exhibited a regular spherical morphology with an average diameter of 96 µm and an LO encapsulation efficiency of 81 wt%. TGA confirmed their thermal stability up to 200 °C, while FTIR verified the successful encapsulation of LO. For performance evaluation, 10 wt% of the microcapsules was incorporated into an epoxy matrix and applied to carbon steel. Corrosion resistance was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.1 mol/L of NaCl solution over 500 h. The coating with microcapsules exhibited a |Z|0.01 of 106 Ω·cm2, higher than the 104 Ω·cm2 observed for the coating without microcapsules, indicating improved barrier properties. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the auto-oxidation of LO at damaged areas, evidencing the self-healing mechanism. Although full barrier recovery was not achieved, the system effectively delayed corrosion progression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Applications in Functional Polymers)
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14 pages, 4426 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Alumina Oxo-Cluster/Cellulose Polymers and Dye Adsorption Application
by Henglong Tang, Simeng Yao, Zhu Long, Xuefei Yang, Pengxiang Si, Chang Sun and Dan Zhang
Materials 2024, 17(23), 6023; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17236023 - 9 Dec 2024
Viewed by 816
Abstract
Aluminum oxide clusters (AlOCs) possess high surface areas and customizable pore structures, making them applicable in the field of environmental remediation. However, their practical use is hindered by stability issues, aggregation tendencies, and recycling challenges. This study presents an in -situ synthesis of [...] Read more.
Aluminum oxide clusters (AlOCs) possess high surface areas and customizable pore structures, making them applicable in the field of environmental remediation. However, their practical use is hindered by stability issues, aggregation tendencies, and recycling challenges. This study presents an in -situ synthesis of AlOCs on cellulose using a solvent thermal method. The resulting adsorbent’s structural and property profiles were thoroughly characterized using multiple analytical techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to assess the adsorbent’s capacity and kinetics in removing selected dyes from aqueous solutions. Additionally, both real-environment simulation and regeneration experiments have been conducted to thoroughly assess the adsorbent’s reliability, stability, and practical applicability. The aim was to engineer an effective and recyclable adsorbent specifically tailored for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Applications in Functional Polymers)
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Review

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27 pages, 5690 KiB  
Review
Superabsorbent Polymers: Innovations in Ecology, Environmental, and Diverse Applications
by Qingya Niu, Jiayin Xie, Jiayan Li, Zaixu An, Huijie Xiao, Xiaoyuan Zhang, Zhiqiang Su and Zhichao Wang
Materials 2025, 18(4), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040823 - 13 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 857
Abstract
Significant progress has been achieved in the development of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), focusing on enhancing their performance and expanding their applications. Efforts are particularly directed at increasing water absorbency while promoting environmental sustainability. Biodegradable materials such as starch and potassium humate have been [...] Read more.
Significant progress has been achieved in the development of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), focusing on enhancing their performance and expanding their applications. Efforts are particularly directed at increasing water absorbency while promoting environmental sustainability. Biodegradable materials such as starch and potassium humate have been successfully integrated with SAPs for desert greening, improving water retention, salt resistance, and seedling survival. The inclusion of nutrient-rich organic-inorganic composites further enhances the durability, efficiency, and recyclability of SAPs. In drought mitigation, polymeric absorbent resins such as polyacrylamide and starch-grafted acrylates have shown efficacy in ameliorating soil conditions and fostering plant growth. In arid environments, agents enriched with humic acid and bentonite contribute to improved soil aeration and water retention, creating optimal conditions for plant establishment. Additionally, the adoption of innovative waste management solutions has led to the production of amphiphilic SAPs from residual sludge, effectively addressing soil nutrient deficiencies and environmental pollution. In the food industry, SAPs containing protease, tea polyphenols, and chitosan exhibit potential for enhancing the stability and quality of seafood products. These advancements highlight the growing relevance of structural optimization approaches in SAP development across diverse applications and underline the importance of continued innovation in these fields. As novel materials emerge and environmental challenges intensify, the potential applications of SAPs are anticipated to expand significantly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Applications in Functional Polymers)
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