Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.4
3.2
Journals
Materials
Special Issues
Functional/Structural Polymers and Composites Produced by the Addition of Plant...
materials-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Functional/Structural Polymers and Composites Produced by the Addition of Plant Biomass or Waste Materials Using Various Production Technologies

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 January 2026 | Viewed by 1418

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Beata Anwajler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Energy Conversion Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 27 Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego Street, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: 3D printing; composites; bioplastics; printing technology; PCM thermal insulation; porous materials; biocomposites; cellular materials; thermal conductivity; energy performance of buildings; heat exchangers; food preservation; 3D printed food packaging; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the recycling of plastics and plastic-derived products has become one of the most important environmental and waste management issues. While their durability is a major advantage, plastics also contribute to significant waste accumulation. Recycling is considered the preferred option for waste management, with the aim of reusing materials to create new products, whether using traditional methods or 3D printing. Research is now moving towards the production of materials not only from pure polymers but also from their composites. Bioplastics, especially biodegradable and compostable ones, have emerged as sustainable alternatives.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present the possibility of producing composites based on plant biomass and waste materials, and to produce innovative functional and structural materials from them. Further development in this field is both essential and promising, as the use of recycled materials contributes to waste reduction, energy conservation, and the sustainable use of natural resources. One of the most promising applications is the use of 3D printing technology to process recycled materials.

Both original research and review articles are welcome.

Dr. Beata Anwajler
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

  • additive manufacturing
  • 3D printing
  • sustainability
  • natural fillers
  • biocomposites
  • biomass

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

37 pages, 6941 KB  
Article
Investigating the Thermal Properties of Structural Partitions Produced Using Additive Technology (3D Printing) from Biodegradable Materials for Use in Construction
by Beata Anwajler, Arkadiusz Wieleżew, Krystian Grabowski, Tullio de Rubeis, Dario Ambrosini, Ewa Zdybel and Ewa Tomaszewska-Ciosk
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4379; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184379 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
Advancements in material technologies and increasingly stringent thermal insulation requirements are driving the search for innovative solutions to serve as an alternative to traditional insulating materials. Using 3D printing techniques to produce thermal insulation opens up new possibilities for creating structures, geometries, and [...] Read more.
Advancements in material technologies and increasingly stringent thermal insulation requirements are driving the search for innovative solutions to serve as an alternative to traditional insulating materials. Using 3D printing techniques to produce thermal insulation opens up new possibilities for creating structures, geometries, and shapes from a variety of raw materials, ranging from synthetic polymers to biodegradable composites. This study aimed to develop a modern thermal insulation barrier with a comparable thermal conductivity to conventional materials to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings. Cellular materials based on the Kelvin cell were fabricated using additive manufacturing via 3D SLS printing from a composite consisting of a biodegradable material (TPS) and a recyclable polymer (PA12). The printed cellular structural partitions were tested for their thermal insulation properties, including thermal conductivity coefficient, thermal transmittance (U-value), and thermal resistance. The best thermal insulation performance was demonstrated by a double-layer partition made from TPS + PA12 at a mass ratio of 5:5 and with a thickness of 60 mm. This sample achieved a thermal conductivity of λ = 0.026 W/(m·K), a thermal resistance of R = 2.4 (m2·K)/W, and a thermal transmittance of U = 0.42 W/(m2·K). Cellular partition variants with the most favorable properties were incorporated into building thermal balance software and an energy simulation was conducted for a single-family house using prototype insulating materials. This enabled an assessment of their energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional/Structural Polymers and Composites Produced by the Addition of Plant Biomass or Waste Materials Using Various Production Technologies)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

17 pages, 665 KB  
Review
Micro- and Nanoplastics in Dentistry: Challenges in Obtaining High-Quality Evidence
by Luka Šimunović, Ivana Bačić and Senka Meštrović
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184269 - 12 Sep 2025
Viewed by 632
Abstract
The increasing concern over micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) pollution has extended into the field of dentistry, where polymer-based materials and clinical procedures may contribute to environmental and occupational exposure. This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge on MNPs in dentistry and identify [...] Read more.
The increasing concern over micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) pollution has extended into the field of dentistry, where polymer-based materials and clinical procedures may contribute to environmental and occupational exposure. This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge on MNPs in dentistry and identify gaps that hinder high-quality evidence generation. Methods include a critical appraisal of existing literature across dental disciplines, including orthodontics, restorative dentistry, and prosthodontics, with emphasis on experimental designs, sampling strategies, and analytical methods. Results reveal that while in vitro studies suggest measurable particle release from common dental materials, real-world exposure data remain sparse, especially regarding airborne and ingested microplastics. Furthermore, inconsistencies in study design, lack of standardized detection methods, and underrepresentation of clinical settings limit the generalizability of findings. This review highlights that while micro- and nanoplastic release from dental materials is evident in laboratory studies, real-world exposure data remain limited and inconsistent. To advance the field, harmonized research protocols, interdisciplinary collaboration, and standardized detection methods are urgently required. Practical measures, such as improved clinical practices and sustainable material choices, can already help reduce emissions. By outlining both current knowledge gaps and actionable strategies, this work provides a foundation for informed decision-making in clinical, regulatory, and environmental contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional/Structural Polymers and Composites Produced by the Addition of Plant Biomass or Waste Materials Using Various Production Technologies)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop