Processing, Modification and Properties of Biodegradable Polymeric Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Biodegradable polymers form one of the main groups of polymeric materials that have received a great amount of interest in recent years from both scientists and entrepreneurs. This interest is the result of the discovery of new properties of these materials, mostly their biodegradability under various environmental conditions. However, many biodegradable polymers, due to their properties and price, are inferior compared to conventional ones. Many methods are currently being utilized in order for biodegradable polymers to match market demand, and to increase their production and lower their price. To this end, a number of technological operations connected with the production of polymer blends, composites or nanocomposites, as well as biodegradable copolymers, crosslinked or grafted polymers are being carried out. The modifications also refer to polymer processing, mainly its conditions or the design features of machines and devices. The issues in the field of property modification of the final products, i.e., issues of surface activation, metallization or sterilization, are no less important. Moreover, studies on low-molecular weight compounds used as modifiers of polymeric properties, e.g., plasticizers, nucleants, polymeric chain extenders, stabilizers, fillers or blowing agents, are also being conducted.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the processing of biodegradable polymeric materials and the modification and investigation of their properties. The presentation of the most significant issues associated with the abovementioned research topics as well as the important trends in this area are welcome. Reviews, full papers, and short communications focused on new achievements in this area are expected.

Dr. Rafał Malinowski
Guest Editor

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