Nanoparticle-Driven Covalent Adaptable Networks (NP-CANs): Toward Self-Healing and Recyclable Biomedical Polymers
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 2
Special Issue Editors
2. Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenija
Interests: polymer nanocomposites; structural properties; thermal properties; surface properties of polymer composites; extrusion of polymer nanocomposites; sustainable nanoparticles as nanofillers or additives; surface modification of nanofillers; safe food additives; green processing; biodegradable polymers; recyclable materials; covalent adaptable networks (CANs)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials; surface functionalization with biopolymers; advanced nanocomposites; colloid chemistry; wastewater treatment; absorption; active biopolymers with antiviral and antimicrobial properties; encapsulated polymeric micro/nanoparticles; development of antiviral personal protective equipment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Nature provides countless examples of self-healing processes that allow living systems to recover from damage and maintain functionality. Inspired by these biological mechanisms, materials science has increasingly focused on developing synthetic analogs capable of autonomous repair and recyclability. Within this field, Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs) have emerged as a transformative class of polymeric materials that bridge the gap between conventional thermosets and thermoplastics. By incorporating reversible covalent bonds, CANs offer the unique combination of mechanical robustness, dynamic adaptability, and reprocessability. Since their introduction in 2011, they have become a central framework for designing self-healing, recyclable, and sustainable polymers.
Building on this foundation, the concept of Nanoparticle-Triggered Covalent Adaptable Networks (NP-CANs) explores how nanoparticles (NPs) can actively modulate Dynamic Covalent Chemistry (DCC), influencing bond exchange kinetics, healing efficiency, and activation energy. Biomedical polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) serve as promising matrices for integrating NP-CAN systems into implantable, wearable, and regenerative devices. Embedding dynamic, NP-responsive crosslinking networks within these polymers can yield self-healing prosthetics, recyclable implants, and adaptive scaffolds that respond to physiological stimuli.
This Special Issue welcomes research and reviews addressing:
- Mechanistic studies of NP-mediated bond exchange;
- Stimuli-responsive and multi-responsive NP-CANs;
- Biocompatibility, recyclability, and degradation behavior;
- Modeling, processing, and nanoscale characterization of dynamic networks.
By uniting polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedicine, this Special Issue aims to accelerate the development of smart, repairable, and sustainable materials for future biomedical and technological applications.
Dr. Klementina Pušnik Črešnar
Dr. Olivija Plohl
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- covalent adaptable networks (CANs)
- dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC)
- nanoparticles
- self-healing polymers
- recyclability
- biomedical materials
- vitrification temperature
- smart biomaterials
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