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Fabrication, Properties and Applications of Fiber‐Reinforced Biocomposites

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 2939

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Technological Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Brazil
Interests: biopolymer; bio-based composites; fiber-reinforced biocomposites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing global need for eco-friendly materials has highlighted the importance of bio-based and renewable composites as key elements in modern industry and scientific progress. Fiber-reinforced biocomposites (FRBCs), which merge natural fibers like jute, hemp, and sisal with biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid and starch-based materials, are central to this advancement. Produced through techniques like compression molding and extrusion, FRBCs offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, sustainability, and a smaller environmental footprint. They find use in various sectors, including automotive, construction, consumer products, and biomedical applications. Despite challenges like moisture sensitivity and thermal limitations, the ongoing development of hybrid composites, fiber treatments, and production methods is driving their adoption. This article studies recent breakthroughs in FRBCs, emphasizing their importance in advancing sustainable solutions and eco-conscious engineering. This Special Issue will provide a platform for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to share knowledge and advancements, fostering progress in the development of bio-based and renewable composite technologies.

Prof. Dr. Sabir Khan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • sustainable materials
  • bio-based composites
  • renewable composites
  • fiber-reinforced biocomposites (FRBCs)
  • natural fibers
  • biodegradable polymers
  • compression molding
  • extrusion techniques
  • eco-friendly materials
  • automotive applications
  • consumer products
  • biomedical applications
  • hybrid composites
  • fiber surface modification
  • manufacturing advancements
  • environmental sustainability
  • sustainable innovation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4725 KB  
Article
Cold-Pressed Insulation Boards from Recycled Cotton Fibers Using a Water-Borne PVAc–Starch Binder: Processing, Structure and Properties
by Tadeáš Zachara, Přemysl Šedivka, Vlastimil Borůvka, Kryštof Kubista, Tomáš Holeček, Martin Lexa, Lukáš Sahula and Adam Sikora
Materials 2026, 19(6), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19061097 - 12 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 381
Abstract
This study investigates the valorization of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled cotton fibers from textile waste into porous fiber-based insulation composites using a low-temperature cold-pressing process and a water-borne hybrid binder based on polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and modified cornstarch. Insulation boards were produced with [...] Read more.
This study investigates the valorization of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled cotton fibers from textile waste into porous fiber-based insulation composites using a low-temperature cold-pressing process and a water-borne hybrid binder based on polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and modified cornstarch. Insulation boards were produced with target densities ranging from 300 to 340 kg·m−3, achieved by systematically adjusting the percentage weight fractions of recycled cotton fibers and binder components. The influence of board density on microstructure, inter-fiber bonding, and structure–property relationships was evaluated. The resulting boards exhibited thermal conductivity values between 0.0710 and 0.0739 W·m−1·K−1. Compressive strength measured at 10% relative deformation of the specimen thickness ranged from 46 to 162 kPa, while internal bond strength varied between 2 and 6 kPa. Water absorption decreased by approximately 18% with increasing density, indicating improved binder distribution and reduced open porosity. The PVAc–starch binder system enabled effective inter-fiber bonding without formaldehyde-based resins or energy-intensive curing, supporting a low-temperature and circular processing concept for textile waste valorization. Overall, the results demonstrate that recycled cotton fibers represent a viable feedstock for porous insulation composites combining balanced thermal, mechanical, and moisture-related performance with potentially reduced environmental impact. Full article
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Review

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28 pages, 2151 KB  
Review
Review: Sustainable Biosorbent and Biopolymeric Materials for Heavy Metal Adsorption—Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives
by André Lamounier Caixeta, Ana Carolina Nunes da Silva, Sarah Kalli Silva da Silva, Matheus de Carvalho Dias, Camila Monteiro Cholant, Tiago Moreno Volkmer, André Luiz Missio, Amanda Dantas de Oliveira, Mateus Meneguetti Ferrer, Yasir Anwar and Sabir Khan
Materials 2025, 18(20), 4752; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204752 - 16 Oct 2025
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1986
Abstract
The contamination of water resources by heavy metals poses a serious environmental risk, and conventional treatment methods face significant limitations. This review addresses the issue by presenting a critical analysis of the development of sustainable biosorbent and biopolymeric materials for heavy metal adsorption, [...] Read more.
The contamination of water resources by heavy metals poses a serious environmental risk, and conventional treatment methods face significant limitations. This review addresses the issue by presenting a critical analysis of the development of sustainable biosorbent and biopolymeric materials for heavy metal adsorption, highlighting advances, challenges, and future perspectives. To this end, a systematic bibliometric analysis of 120 documents was conducted, extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, covering the period from 2003 to 2025. The results indicate exponential growth in scientific interest in biopolymers such as cellulose, chitosan, lignin, and alginate, especially in the form of aerogels, which demonstrate high adsorptive capacity through mechanisms such as complexation, chelation, and ion exchange. The analysis also reveals the main factors influencing process efficiency, such as pH, temperature, and contact time. It is concluded that, although these sustainable materials are highly promising, challenges related to scalability, selectivity in complex effluents, and regenerability still need to be overcome to enable their large-scale industrial application, in line with the principles of the circular economy. Full article
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