Advanced Biodegradable Polymers

Dear Colleagues,

Approximately 250 million tons of petroleum-based polymers are produced each year. A large proportion of these polymers are used in products that have short service lives, and the disposal of these nondurable products is seen as an important environmental problem. With the effort to establish green chemistry and sustainability, great attention has been recently be paid to the development and evaluation of biodegradable polymers and composites in an effort to replace the petroleum-based polymers with more sustainable materials. The growing interest in replacing petroleum-based products with inexpensive, renewable, natural materials is important for sustainable development into the future, and will have a significant impact on the polymer industry and the environment. Biorenewable or sustainable polymers are excellent alternatives to petroleum-based polymers for both environmental and economic reasons. Biodegradable polymers have been developed which can fulfill nearly all of the functions of petroleum-based materials in applications ranging from packaging to durable goods, and have a major advantage over nonbiodegradable polymers in terms of degradation. It is well established that biodegradable polymers can be obtained from renewable resources such as starch, cellulose, lignin, gelatin, plant oils, fats, etc. They can also be obtained from microbiologically produced materials such as poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(hydroxyvalerate), polyhydroxyhexanoate, and poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs). They can also be obtained from the polymerization of biomonomers such as polylactide (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polybutylene succinate (PBS). The aim of this Special Issue is to cover new research topics related to biodegradable polymers, blends, gels, dispersions, and composites, from renewable resources, bacterial fermentation, and the  polymerization of biomonomers. Studies on the characterization, processing, rheology, shape-memory effect, applications, and life cycle assessment of different types of biodegradable polymers and composites are within the scope of this Special Issue. Researchers are cordially invited to contribute original research and review articles to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Samy Madbouly
Guest Editor

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