Preparation, Characteristics and Application of Polyurethanes
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2026 | Viewed by 5
Special Issue Editors
Interests: polyurethane; damping materials; self-healing; shape memory
Interests: rubber composites; energy-saving tire; styrene butadiene rubber; surface and interface; thermoplastic polyurethane; molecular simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Polyurethane (PU) demonstrates enormous potential in green materials and smart engineering due to its tunable molecular structure, excellent mechanical properties, and broad applicability. This Special Issue delves into innovations in polyurethanes, from molecular design to engineering applications, with a focus on microphase separation mechanisms, functional modification, and sustainability enhancement strategies. We welcome original contributions on the performance optimization of PU in damping, self-healing, and wearable technologies, as well as machine-learning-driven efficient material development and recyclable system design. By combining experimental, simulation, and data science approaches, this Special Issue seeks to establish a platform for researchers, engineers, and industries to advance the boundaries of PU applications in smart materials and green technologies.
Original research, reviews, case studies, and forward-looking perspectives are invited on topics including, but not limited to, the following:
- Advanced Preparation and Green Synthesis of Polyurethanes
- Sustainable PU synthesis strategies using bio-based monomers, recyclable feedstocks, or solvent-free processes.
- Precise regulation of microphase separation structures and their impact mechanisms on mechanical and dynamic properties.
- Machine-learning-assisted PU formulation design and property prediction.
- Innovative Applications of Functional Polyurethanes
- Damping Materials: High-energy dissipation PU composites for vibration and noise reduction in aerospace, automotive, and civil engineering.
- Self-Healing Systems: Dynamic covalent/supramolecular network-driven self-healing mechanisms and durability enhancement in PU.
- Wearable Technologies: Development of flexible, breathable PU-based sensors, e-skins, and smart textiles.
- Multiscale Characterization and Simulation Technologies
- Cross-scale characterization of microphase separation (e.g., SAXS, AFM, TEM, and molecular dynamics simulations).
- Machine learning-driven modeling of PU structure-property relationships and high-throughput screening.
- Dynamic simulation and multiphysics coupling analysis of damping and self-healing behaviors.
- Circular Economy and Sustainability
- Efficient conversion and upcycling of PU waste via chemical/mechanical recycling technologies.
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental footprint optimization strategies for PU products.
- Design of degradable PU systems and their ecological compatibility studies.
Dr. Shikai Hu
Prof. Dr. Yanlong Luo
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- polyurethane
- damping materials
- self-healing
- microphase separation
- wearable devices
- molecular simulation
- machine learning
- recyclable polymers
- sustainability
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