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Advances in Functional Polymer Materials: Design, Synthesis, and Performance
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Advances in Functional Polymer Materials: Design, Synthesis, and Performance

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 1326

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Aparna Beena Unni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
Interests: polymer thin films; ultra-stable glasses; polymer nanocomposites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional polymer materials have gained significant attention due to their tailored properties and versatile applications across various high-tech industries. Recent advances in polymer chemistry, molecular design, and innovative synthesis strategies have enabled the development of polymers with enhanced mechanical, optical, electrical, and stimuli-responsive properties. These materials are critical for next-generation technologies, including flexible electronics, biomedical devices, energy storage, coatings, and smart materials.

This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research on the design, synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of functional polymer materials. Topics of interest include advanced polymer architectures, responsive and self-healing polymers, bioinspired and biodegradable materials, nanostructured polymers, and high-performance composites. Contributions focusing on novel fabrication methods, structure–property relationships, and emerging applications are particularly welcome.

We invite researchers from academia and industry to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore recent breakthroughs and future directions in functional polymer materials. This collection will serve as a comprehensive reference for scientists and engineers developing innovative polymer-based solutions for modern technological challenges.

Dr. Aparna Beena Unni
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

  • functional polymers
  • polymer synthesis
  • advanced polymer architectures
  • stimuli-responsive polymers
  • self-healing polymers
  • biodegradable and sustainable polymers
  • nanostructured polymers
  • polymer composites
  • smart materials
  • high-performance polymers

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 11394 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Experimental, Simulation, and Characterization Mechanical Analysis of Ecoflex and Its Formulation Under Uniaxial Testing
by Ranjith Janardhana, Fazli Akram, Zeynel Guler, Akanksha Adaval and Nathan Jackson
Materials 2025, 18(13), 3037; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18133037 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 341
Abstract
The current study focuses on the manufacturing and characterization of various forms of Ecoflex and their composites to improve the mechanical properties and surface texture, specifically for use in wearable sensors and electronic skin applications. Various types of Ecoflex elastomers were mixed to [...] Read more.
The current study focuses on the manufacturing and characterization of various forms of Ecoflex and their composites to improve the mechanical properties and surface texture, specifically for use in wearable sensors and electronic skin applications. Various types of Ecoflex elastomers were mixed to form blended composite materials, which could be used to tune the mechanical properties. Experimental and simulation methods were conducted to understand the mechanical behavior and material properties of the manufactured samples under large deformation (1200% strain) by various dynamic loading conditions. Further, the surface conditions of specimens were analyzed and evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and contact angle goniometer. The Yeoh model reasonably predicts the viscoelastic and hysteresis behavior of Ecoflex and its composites in accordance with the experimental data for small and large strain. The surface smoothness and moisture-resistant properties of the material surface were enhanced up to a contact angle of 127° (maximum) by adding x = 15 wt% of surface tension diffusers, with a slight compromise in stretchability. This comprehensive investigation and database of Ecoflex–Ecoflex composite can guide and help researchers in selecting and applying the most appropriate Ecoflex/blended solutions for a specific application, while providing insight into the mechanics of materials of blended materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polymer Materials: Design, Synthesis, and Performance)
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22 pages, 5538 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Biochemical and Microbial Behavior of Poly(Lactide) Composites with Polyethersulfone and Copper-Complexed Cellulose Phosphate
by Marcin H. Kudzin, Zdzisława Mrozińska, Anna Kaczmarek, Jerzy J. Chruściel, Martyna Gloc and Renata Żyłła
Materials 2025, 18(13), 2954; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18132954 - 22 Jun 2025
Viewed by 344
Abstract
This research investigates the biochemical and microbiological characteristics of a composite comprising poly(lactide) (PLA) combined with polyethersulfone (PESf) and copper-complexed cellulose phosphate (CelP-Cu). The material was produced using the pneumothermic melt-blown method and then modified with polyethersulfone and cellulose phosphate, followed by complexation [...] Read more.
This research investigates the biochemical and microbiological characteristics of a composite comprising poly(lactide) (PLA) combined with polyethersulfone (PESf) and copper-complexed cellulose phosphate (CelP-Cu). The material was produced using the pneumothermic melt-blown method and then modified with polyethersulfone and cellulose phosphate, followed by complexation with copper ions using the dip-coating technique. Comprehensive physicochemical and biological evaluations were conducted to characterize the composite. The physicochemical assessments involved elemental analysis (C, O, Cu) and morphology examination. The biological evaluations encompassed microbiological testing and biochemical–hematological analysis, including activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Antimicrobial activity was assessed according to the EN ISO 20645:2006 and EN 14119:2005 standards, by placing material specimens on agar plates inoculated with representative microorganisms. The results revealed that the composites exhibited significant antimicrobial effects against model microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus atrophaeus, Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum. This study highlights the potential of PLA/PESf/CelP-Cu composites for novel biomedical applications, demonstrating their biocompatibility and their influence on hemostatic processes and antimicrobial properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polymer Materials: Design, Synthesis, and Performance)
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24 pages, 7375 KiB  
Article
Effect of Silicone Rubbers on the Properties of RDX-Based PBXs and Their Application in the Explosive Hardening of Steel
by Konrad Szydło, Agnieszka Stolarczyk, Tomasz Jarosz, Barbara Lisiecka, Sylwia Waśkiewicz, Krzysztof Lukaszkowicz, Klaudiusz Gołombek, Jakub Polis and Mateusz Polis
Materials 2025, 18(10), 2311; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18102311 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 388
Abstract
Modern energetic materials (EMs) have many different civil applications. One of their most promising applications in civil engineering is explosive hardening, which facilitates the fast and cost-effective improvement of mechanical properties in the treated material. In this work, we present the results of [...] Read more.
Modern energetic materials (EMs) have many different civil applications. One of their most promising applications in civil engineering is explosive hardening, which facilitates the fast and cost-effective improvement of mechanical properties in the treated material. In this work, we present the results of our investigation on the explosive hardening of S235JR Steel with PBX formulations containing silicone binders and 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX). In terms of safety, the impact (5–15 J) and friction (240–360 N) sensitivity of the tested plastic-bonded explosives (PBXs) was verified, simultaneously with DSC tests, energy of activation calculations, and critical diameter measurement. The developed material, prepared with techniques similar to the anticipated working conditions, is characterized by a high detonation velocity (up to 7300 m/s), low sensitivity for mechanical factors (10 J, 288 N), and a small critical diameter (3.3 mm). The developed PBX based on a silicone binder demonstrated grain fragmentation, recrystallization, and an increase in the surface hardness of S235JR steel, which was confirmed with SEM, EBSD, microstructure analysis, and microhardness studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polymer Materials: Design, Synthesis, and Performance)
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