Advancing Polymeric and Hybrid Materials: From Synthesis and Application to End of Life
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 33
Special Issue Editor
Interests: bio-based polymers; sustainable and circular 3D printing; chemical recycling of polymers and composites; covalent adaptable networks; flame retardants; adhesives; coatings; fiber-reinforced composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue aims to highlight emerging paradigms in the development of next-generation polymeric and hybrid materials, spanning the entire materials continuum—from the use of green chemistry and renewable feedstocks in synthesis, through the engineering of advanced functionalities and manufacturing processes, to the implementation of viable end-of-life deconstruction and upcycling strategies.
We invite original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and short communications that address, but are not limited to, the following core themes:
A. Sustainable Synthesis
- Advancements in green chemistry and environmentally benign synthetic pathways.
- Application of biocatalysis and enzymatic polymerization techniques.
- Precision molecular design utilizing renewable biomass feedstocks.
B. Next-Generation Materials
- Design and characterization of novel bio-based polymers and biocomposites.
- Development of covalent adaptable networks/vitrimers.
- Stimuli-responsive and programmable soft materials.
- Hybrid organic–inorganic material systems.
C. Advanced Applications and Manufacturing
- Sustainable approaches to 3D printing of functional parts.
- Flame-retardant additives for demanding applications.
- Eco-friendly adhesives, sealants, and protective coatings.
- Design and processing of natural fiber-reinforced composites.
D. End-of-Life Considerations and Circularity
- Chemical recycling and depolymerization of structural polymers and composites.
- Upcycling strategies for transforming commodity plastic waste into high-value functional materials.
- Controlled degradation, biodegradation, and composting of plastic waste.
Dr. Baoming Zhao
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
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 Polymers
- green Chemistry
- biocatalysis
- renewable Feedstocks
- 3D printing
- coatings
- adhesives
- natural fiber-reinforced composites
- plastic recycling
- biodegradation and composting
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