Biodegradable Polymers in Biological Application
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecular Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 20
Special Issue Editors
Interests: biopolymer-based materials aiming for medical; pharmaceutical and (bio) photonic applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: structure–property relationships on natural/biodegradable polymers and polymer composites for biomedical applications
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Biodegradable polymers play a crucial role in developing effective solutions within the biological field, where polymer degradation enables systems for the controlled release of active agents, supports the formation of temporary structural frameworks, and allows the creation of materials and devices that break down after fulfilling their function.
Among biodegradable polymers, a vast variety of naturally derived polymers, biopolymers, and chemically synthesized polymers are compatible with biological systems, providing opportunities to develop materials and devices with diverse and unique properties. These materials can be processed using a wide range of techniques, such as extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, electrospinning, casting, 3D (bio)printing, and spray drying, among others.
While synthetic biodegradable polymers typically offer superior processing capabilities and mechanical performance, natural polymers and macromolecules contribute bioactivity, renewable sourcing, and mild processing conditions. Their combination has been explored to achieve a balanced integration of mechanical and biological performance. In either case, chemical modifications (e.g., grafting, crosslinking, functional group modification, click chemistry) and physical modifications (e.g., plasma treatment, surface coating, blending, annealing) can be applied to enhance performance and fine-tune specific properties.
This Special Issue, “Biodegradable Polymers in Biological Application,” aims to compile cutting-edge research exploring natural and synthetic biopolymers in various biological contexts. We encourage original research articles, communications, and reviews on novel synthesis, extraction, structural characterization, processing, and validation for biological applications. Contributions from diverse fields—such as pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, agriculture and environmental sciences, and chemical and materials engineering—that advance biodegradable polymers are especially welcome.
Prof. Dr. Hernane S. Barud
Guest Editor
Dr. Mariana Pires Figueiredo
Guest Editor Assistant
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
- natural polymers
- synthetic polymers
- controlled degradation
- compositional and structural modifications
- processing
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