Biosynthesis, Chemical Modification and Characterization of Biodegradable Polymers

Dear Colleagues,

This is to present a Special Issue devoted to “Biosynthesis, Chemical Modification and Characterization of Biodegradable Polymers”, including green composites and nanocomposites (as long as fully renewable).

The rising concern toward environmental issues has stimulated research efforts in the perspective of reducing plastic waste, given the fact that, in recent decades, the disposal and nonbiodegradability of petroleum-derived plastics has caused serious water and land pollution.

In this context, the choices of materials and processing techniques must satisfy the current demands in terms of environmental sustainability. Using bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable resins may bring several advantages in terms of plastic waste reduction, renewability, and eco-friendliness.

However, a critical issue associated with manufacturing, application, and end-use of biodegradable polymeric systems is the generally observed poor mechanical performance of such materials, as well as their susceptibility to some external agents that currently limit the possibility of using them in severe conditions.

On the other hand, biodegradable polymers are crucial even for biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery, which often require materials with predictable and tunable degradation rates under controlled conditions.

Therefore, knowledge about the relationships between synthesis, processing, structure, morphology, and properties in biodegradable polymer-based materials is necessary to achieve these goals. Nevertheless, the interactions between materials and external solicitations are still far from being fully explored and managed, as well as the deep understanding of the degradation/stabilization mechanisms in different environments.

Therefore, papers are sought that deal with the synthesis and/or modification of biodegradable polymeric systems, either providing new insights on the synthetic routes or investigating novel renewable sources, including re-valorization of agricultural or marine wastes. The latest research dealing with the preparation of biodegradable polymeric systems in special application fields and/or proposing novel characterization protocols will also be of great interest.

Dr. Andrea Maio
Guest Editor

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