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Advances and Applications in Biodegradable and Bio-Based Materials and Composites
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Advances and Applications in Biodegradable and Bio-Based Materials and Composites

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 4933

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yoong Kit Leong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung City, Taiwan
Interests: biopolymers; circular economy; waste valorization; life cycle assessment; zero carbon emission technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances and applications in biodegradable and bio-based materials and composites represent a pivotal shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly solutions across various industries. Biodegradable materials derived from renewable resources, such as plants or microorganisms, offer a promising alternative to traditional plastics, reducing reliance on finite fossil fuels and minimizing environmental pollution. These materials encompass a wide range of polymers and composites engineered through green chemistry principles to enhance biodegradability while maintaining the desired mechanical properties. Applications span various industries, including packaging, agriculture, automotive, and biomedical sectors, where biodegradable and bio-based materials offer solutions for reducing waste and the reliance on finite resources. Considerations such as biocompatibility and mechanical properties drive the development of these materials, paving the way for a more sustainable future and contributing to the transition towards a circular economy. Additionally, researchers are currently investigating the degradation pathways of these materials to ensure minimal environmental impacts throughout their lifecycle. In this Special Issue, we aim to gather high-quality research on the advances and applications in biodegradable and bio-based materials and composites. Specifically, this Special Issue will cover, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Innovative and novel biodegradable and/or bio-based materials and composites production processes, technologies and systems;
  • New and emerging applications of biodegradable and/or bio-based materials and composites;
  • Biodegradable and/or bio-based materials and composite production design and process modelling;
  • Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of biodegradable and/or bio-based materials and composite production and applications.

Dr. Yoong Kit Leong
Guest Editor

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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • bio-based materials
  • biodegradable materials
  • biopolymers
  • natural fibers
  • hybrid composites
  • novel applications
  • material sustainability
  • sustainable packaging
  • waste reduction
  • circular economy
  • life cycle assessment
  • techno-economic analysis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3884 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Wood Fiber–Polyurethane Plastic Composite with Water Resistance and High Strength
by Xi Yuan, Shiyu Fu and Hao Liu
Materials 2025, 18(6), 1314; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061314 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 494
Abstract
The current widespread use of plastics is a significant source of environmental pollution and increases the carbon load in the atmosphere, which has precipitated an urgent drive to replace plastics with biomass-based materials. In this paper, we prepared a lignocellulose-based, high-strength, water-resistant composite [...] Read more.
The current widespread use of plastics is a significant source of environmental pollution and increases the carbon load in the atmosphere, which has precipitated an urgent drive to replace plastics with biomass-based materials. In this paper, we prepared a lignocellulose-based, high-strength, water-resistant composite based on eucalyptus waste sawdust combined with a polyurethane prepolymer. The preparation process included pretreating sawdust with deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to remove some of the lignin and hemicellulose. A prepolymer preparation involving isocyanate groups using the prepolymerization of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) grafted the prepolymers to the hydroxyl of the pretreated wood fibers, which were subsequently blended with acetylated pretreated sawdust to create the composite. The composite contained 67% wood fibers, possessed good tensile strength, and exhibited Young’s moduli of 18 MPa and 484 MPa. It was water-resistant with a contact angle of 92° and had a low water absorption of 32%, and it maintained a wet tensile strength of 5.71 MPa. The composite offers several advantages, including UV protection and thermal stability. This high-performance wood waste composite provides an alternative green production option for producing plastic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Biodegradable and Bio-Based Materials and Composites)
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23 pages, 10132 KiB  
Article
Chitosan Extracted from the Biomass of Tenebrio molitor Larvae as a Sustainable Packaging Film
by Chacha Saidi Mwita, Riaz Muhammad, Ezekiel Edward Nettey-Oppong, Doljinsuren Enkhbayar, Ahmed Ali, Jiwon Ahn, Seong-Wan Kim, Young-Seek Seok and Seung Ho Choi
Materials 2024, 17(15), 3670; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153670 - 25 Jul 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1761
Abstract
Waste from non-degradable packaging materials poses a serious environmental risk and has led to interest in developing sustainable bio-based packaging materials. Sustainable packaging materials have been made from diverse naturally derived materials such as bamboo, sugarcane, and corn starch. In this study, we [...] Read more.
Waste from non-degradable packaging materials poses a serious environmental risk and has led to interest in developing sustainable bio-based packaging materials. Sustainable packaging materials have been made from diverse naturally derived materials such as bamboo, sugarcane, and corn starch. In this study, we made a sustainable packaging film using chitosan extracted from the biomass of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) shell waste. The extracted chitosan was used to create films, cross-linked with citric acid (CA) and with the addition of glycerol to impart flexibility, using the solvent casting method. The successful cross-linking was evaluated using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. The CA cross-linked mealworm chitosan (CAMC) films exhibited improved water resistance with moisture content reduced from 19.9 to 14.5%. Improved barrier properties were also noted, with a 28.7% and 10.2% decrease in vapor permeability and vapor transmission rate, respectively. Bananas were selected for food preservation, and significant changes were observed over a duration of 10 days. Compared to the control sample, bananas packaged in CAMC pouches exhibited a lesser loss in weight because of excellent barrier properties against water vapor. Moreover, the quality and texture of bananas packaged in CAMC pouch remained intact over the duration of the experiment. This indicates that adding citric acid and glycerol to the chitosan structure holds promise for effective food wrapping and contributes to the enhancement of banana shelf life. Through this study, we concluded that chitosan film derived from mealworm biomass has potential as a valuable resource for sustainable packaging solutions, promoting the adoption of environmentally friendly practices in the food industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Biodegradable and Bio-Based Materials and Composites)
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14 pages, 14311 KiB  
Article
Quaternary Zinc Alloys with Magnesium, Calcium and Strontium after Hydrostatic Extrusion—Microstructure and Its Impact on Mechanical and Corrosion Properties
by Magdalena Bieda, Weronika Gozdur, Magdalena Gieleciak, Anna Jarzębska, Łukasz Maj, Łukasz Rogal and Jacek Skiba
Materials 2024, 17(14), 3496; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17143496 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1278
Abstract
The development of bioabsorbable implants from Zn alloys is one of the main interests in the new generation of biomaterials. The main drawbacks of Zn-based materials are their insufficient mechanical properties. In the presented studies, a quaternary alloy composed of zinc with magnesium [...] Read more.
The development of bioabsorbable implants from Zn alloys is one of the main interests in the new generation of biomaterials. The main drawbacks of Zn-based materials are their insufficient mechanical properties. In the presented studies, a quaternary alloy composed of zinc with magnesium (0.2–1 wt. %), calcium (0.1–0.5 wt. %) and strontium (0.05–0.5 wt. %) was prepared by gravity casting followed by hot extrusion and then by hydrostatic extrusion. Microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis was performed. The mechanical properties were examined, using static tensile tests. Corrosion properties were analyzed using immersion tests. Samples were immersed in Hanks’ solution (temperature = 37 °C, pH = 7.4) for 14 days. All alloys were subjected after corrosion to SEM observations on the surface and cross-section. The corrosion rate was also calculated. The microstructure of the investigated quaternary alloy consists of the α-Zn grains and intermetallic phases Mg2Zn11, CaZn13 and SrZn13 with different grain sizes and distribution, which impacted both mechanical and corrosion properties. Thanks to the alloying by the addition of Mg, Ca, and Sr and plastic deformation using hydrostatic extrusion, outstanding mechanical properties were obtained along with improvement in uniformity of corrosion rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Biodegradable and Bio-Based Materials and Composites)
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Review

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32 pages, 5197 KiB  
Review
Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Biocomposites for Marine Applications: A Review
by Yang Huang, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan, Farah Syazwani Shahar, Andrzej Łukaszewicz, Zbigniew Oksiuta and Rafał Grzejda
Materials 2025, 18(5), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18050999 - 24 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 590
Abstract
Fiber-reinforced composites are widely utilized across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and marine, due to their outstanding mechanical properties and lightweight characteristics. Natural fibers, as promising reinforcements, have the potential to replace synthetic fibers in certain areas to meet the growing demand for [...] Read more.
Fiber-reinforced composites are widely utilized across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and marine, due to their outstanding mechanical properties and lightweight characteristics. Natural fibers, as promising reinforcements, have the potential to replace synthetic fibers in certain areas to meet the growing demand for environmental protection and sustainability. These biocomposites offer numerous benefits, including reduced carbon footprints, diminished reliance on non-renewable resources, and increased natural biodegradability. In addition, utilizing such eco-friendly materials is a critical strategy for balancing industry progress and environmental protection. Kenaf fiber, a superior bast fiber known for its excellent mechanical properties and high cellulose content, presents considerable advantages for enhancing the performance of biocomposites. This review explores the potential of kenaf fiber-reinforced biocomposites for marine applications, focusing on their fabrication and testing methods to evaluate their physicochemical and mechanical properties. This paper examines the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the kenaf fiber, investigates the excellent performance advantages of kenaf fiber-based biocomposites by hybridization manufacturing, and provides an overview of the status and challenges of applying such biocomposites in marine environments. Based on this review, it is evident that kenaf fiber-reinforced biocomposites have significant superiority for marine applications with the advancement of manufacturing techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Biodegradable and Bio-Based Materials and Composites)
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