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Bio-Based Polymers for Sustainable Future
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Bio-Based Polymers for Sustainable Future

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 2629

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Marija Gorjanc

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: bio-based polymers; material science; plasma modification of fibrous polymers; chemical modification of textiles and fibrous polymers; textile finishing; nanotechnology in textiles (synthesis of Ag and ZnO by chemical and “green” methods); use of natural phytochemicals in textiles; dyeing with natural dyes; extraction of dyes and pigments from waste plant material
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To create a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future, it is essential to reduce pollution, improve waste management, and protect our ecosystems. In this context, bio-based polymer materials, produced from renewable resources such as forestry, agricultural, food processing, and paper mill waste, as well as other biomass and microorganisms, offer an excellent foundation for the development of sustainable materials.

The Special Issue, “Bio-Based Polymers for Sustainable Future", welcomes original research and review articles focused on the production, modification, characterization, applications, recycling, and biodegradation of bio-based polymers, with the aim of promoting sustainability and advancing a climate-friendly industry.

Dr. Marija Gorjanc
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. Molecules 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 2700 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
  • bio-based composites
  • bio-based textiles
  • bio-based polymers for 3D printing
  • bio-based packaging
  • functional bio-based polymers
  • recyclability and biodegradation of bio-based polymers
  • LCA of bio-based polymers
  • application of bio-based polymers

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 797 KiB  
Article
Active Polylactic Acid (PLA) Films Incorporating Almond Peel Extracts for Food Preservation
by Laia Martin-Perez, Carolina Contreras, Amparo Chiralt and Chelo Gonzalez-Martinez
Molecules 2025, 30(9), 1988; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30091988 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2025
Abstract
Almond peel extracts, containing 0.2–0.8% (w/w) phenolic compounds with notable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, could be used as a natural source of active compounds for the development of active films for food preservation. In this study, almond peel extracts [...] Read more.
Almond peel extracts, containing 0.2–0.8% (w/w) phenolic compounds with notable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, could be used as a natural source of active compounds for the development of active films for food preservation. In this study, almond peel extracts obtained by subcritical water extraction at 160 and 180 °C were incorporated into PLA films (PLA-E160 and PLA-E180). The films were characterized in terms of their microstructure, mechanical, barrier, optical and thermal properties. Furthermore, the release of phenolic compounds and hydroximethylfurfural (HFM) into food simulants with different polarity was evaluated, as well as the film’s potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. To validate their effectiveness as active packaging materials, shelf-life studies were conducted on fresh orange juice and sunflower oil packaged using PLA-160 films. The results show that the incorporation of the almond peel extracts led to significant changes in the films’ microstructure and mechanical properties, which became darker, mechanically less resistant, and stretchable (p < 0.05), with slightly lower thermal stability than neat PLA films. The release of phenolic compounds and HFM from extract-enriched films was promoted in the 95% ethanol simulant due to the matrix swelling and relaxation. Food products packaged with PLA-E160 exhibited slower oxidative degradation during storage, as indicated by the higher ascorbic acid content and hue color in orange juice and lower peroxide content in sunflower oil. Nevertheless, both in vivo and in vitro studies showed no antimicrobial effectiveness from the films, likely due to the limited release of active compounds to the surrounding medium. Thus, almond peel extract conferred valuable properties to PLA films, effectively reducing oxidative reactions in food products sensitive to these deterioration processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymers for Sustainable Future)
26 pages, 7628 KiB  
Article
Poly(Acrylic Acid)-Sodium Alginate Superabsorbent Hydrogels Synthesized Using Electron-Beam Irradiation—Part III: An Evaluation of Their Degradation in Soil
by Elena Manaila, Ion Cosmin Calina, Marius Dumitru and Gabriela Craciun
Molecules 2025, 30(5), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30051126 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Global challenges in agriculture, in terms of water and nutrient loss control, require new approaches to maintaining or even increasing crop production. Promising materials, such as superabsorbent hydrogels of hybrid types obtained from natural polymers grafted with synthetic polymers, represent a viable solution [...] Read more.
Global challenges in agriculture, in terms of water and nutrient loss control, require new approaches to maintaining or even increasing crop production. Promising materials, such as superabsorbent hydrogels of hybrid types obtained from natural polymers grafted with synthetic polymers, represent a viable solution to solve these problems and maintain a clean environment. In view of this, two types of hydrogels based on sodium alginate, acrylic acid and polyethylene oxide obtained using 5.5 MeV electron-beam irradiation were subjected to degradation through burial in the soil. Swollen hydrogels in two types of water (distilled and tap) and two types of nutrient solutions (synthetic nutrient solution and 100% natural organic nutrient solution), with different pHs of 5.40, 6.05, 7.45 and 7.66, were buried in soil for 30 and 60 days and then extracted and analyzed in terms of their mass loss, swelling behavior and cross-linking structure. The highest mass losses after both 30 and 60 days were recorded for the hydrogels buried in soils whose humidity was maintained by watering them with the basic solutions (tap water and the organic nutrient solution). Structural modifications associated with the degradation process were highlighted by decreases in the cross-link densities and increases in the mesh sizes and swelling. These results were confirmed using FTIR and SEM techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymers for Sustainable Future)
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32 pages, 9267 KiB  
Article
On the Structural and Biological Effects of Hydroxyapatite and Gold Nano-Scale Particles in Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) Smart Scaffolds for Bone and Neural Tissue Engineering
by Angelika Zaszczyńska, Marzena Zychowicz, Dorota Kołbuk, Piotr Denis, Arkadiusz Gradys and Paweł Ł. Sajkiewicz
Molecules 2025, 30(5), 1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30051041 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 776
Abstract
Piezoelectric materials, due to their ability to generate an electric charge in response to mechanical deformation, are becoming increasingly attractive in the engineering of bone and neural tissues. This manuscript reports the effects of the addition of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), introduction of gold nanoparticles [...] Read more.
Piezoelectric materials, due to their ability to generate an electric charge in response to mechanical deformation, are becoming increasingly attractive in the engineering of bone and neural tissues. This manuscript reports the effects of the addition of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), introduction of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via sonochemical coating, and collector rotation speed on the formation of electroactive phases and biological properties in electrospun nanofiber scaffolds consisting of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). FTIR, WAXS, DSC, and SEM results indicate that introduction of nHA increases the content of electroactive phases and fiber alignment. The collector rotational speed increases not only the fiber alignment but also the content of electroactive phases in PVDF and PVDF/nHA fibers. Increased fiber orientation and introduction of each of additives resulted in increased SFE and water uptake. In vitro tests conducted on MG-63 and hiPSC-NSC cells showed increased adhesion and cell proliferation. The results indicate that PVDF-based composites with nHA and AuNPs are promising candidates for the development of advanced scaffolds for bone and neural tissue engineering applications, combining electrical functionality and biological activity to support tissue regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymers for Sustainable Future)
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33 pages, 5324 KiB  
Article
High-Performance Structures of Biopolymer Gels Activated with Scleroprotein Crosslinkers
by Miroslawa Prochon, Oleksandra Dzeikala and Szymon Szczepanik
Molecules 2025, 30(3), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30030627 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 741
Abstract
The study explores innovative crosslinking processes for biopolymer gel materials using amino acids and ion-redox initiators to significantly enhance their structural and functional properties. Advanced analytical techniques, including FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, TGA, DSC, ToF-SIMS, SEM/EDS, GPC/SEC, and elemental analysis, were employed [...] Read more.
The study explores innovative crosslinking processes for biopolymer gel materials using amino acids and ion-redox initiators to significantly enhance their structural and functional properties. Advanced analytical techniques, including FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, TGA, DSC, ToF-SIMS, SEM/EDS, GPC/SEC, and elemental analysis, were employed for comprehensive material characterization. The synthesized materials show potential applications in packaging and medicine, particularly for single-use products with short life cycles. Two crosslinking strategies were developed. The first combines gelatin with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); keratin hydrolysate; and amino acids such as cysteine, hydroxyproline, proline, and histidine. The second employs endogenous cysteine, activated by ion-redox initiators, leveraging its trans-sulfuration ability to form highly stable polymer networks with optimized mechanical and thermal properties. Notably, the synergy between cysteine and potassium persulfate redox initiators proved particularly effective, making this approach attractive for industrial applications. This study introduces novel crosslinking methods and highlights the potential of amino acid-based strategies for designing advanced biopolymer gels with enhanced properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymers for Sustainable Future)
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Review

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30 pages, 7718 KiB  
Review
Research Progress of the Preparation of Cellulose Ethers and Their Applications: A Short Review
by Meng He, Yanmei Lin, Yujia Huang, Yunhui Fang and Xiaopeng Xiong
Molecules 2025, 30(7), 1610; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30071610 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 429
Abstract
Cellulose ethers (CEs), synthesized through the etherification of cellulose, have emerged as indispensable “green additives” in our modern industries, earning the moniker of industrial “monosodium glutamate” due to their unparalleled multifunctionality. Unlike traditional petroleum-based modifiers, CEs offer a unique combination of renewability, low [...] Read more.
Cellulose ethers (CEs), synthesized through the etherification of cellulose, have emerged as indispensable “green additives” in our modern industries, earning the moniker of industrial “monosodium glutamate” due to their unparalleled multifunctionality. Unlike traditional petroleum-based modifiers, CEs offer a unique combination of renewability, low toxicity, and tunable properties (e.g., water retention, thickening, and stimuli-responsiveness), making them pivotal for advancing sustainable construction practices. This review presents an overview of the preparation methods of various CEs and the applications of CEs especially in concrete and mortars as well as corresponding mechanisms. We systematically analyze the preparation methodologies (homogeneous vs. heterogeneous processes) and highlight the effect of molecular determinants (degree of substitution, molecular weight, functional groups) on the performances of CEs. CEs can enhance the workability and other properties of concrete and mortars primarily by acting as water-retaining and thickening agents to mitigate rapid water loss, improve hydration efficiency and cohesion. The effects of CEs on the delay of hydration and microstructure of concrete and mortars are also analyzed and highlighted. Beyond construction, we reviewed the current and emerging CE applications in biomedicine, tissue-engineering, petroleum industry and food engineering, highlighting their cross-disciplinary potential. This review provides some insights into the structure–property–application relationships of CEs and their brief historical developments, offering guidance for optimizing their utilizations especially in sustainable construction practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymers for Sustainable Future)
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