Self-Healing Elastomers and Their Composites
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 29 April 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cellulose; chitin; chitosan; packaging; polymer composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new Special Issue of Polymers, entitled "Self-Healing Elastomers and Their Composites". This Special Issue is dedicated to showcasing the latest groundbreaking research and comprehensive review articles in the rapidly evolving field of self-healing polymeric materials and composites, with a particular emphasis on the unique challenges and advances in elastomers and rubber-like networks.
Inspired by biological systems, self-healing polymers possess the intrinsic ability to autonomously or upon external stimulus repair damage, recover their structural integrity, and extend their functional lifespan. This remarkable capability is paramount for enhancing the durability, safety, reliability, and sustainability of a wide range of materials. In particular, elastomers are often subjected to repeated mechanical stress, large deformations, and abrasive wear, making the integration of self-healing functionality a critical goal for applications ranging from tires and seals to soft robotics and stretchable electronics.
This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for scholars to disseminate innovative findings and engage in scholarly discourse. We welcome contributions that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Novel Mechanisms: Dynamic covalent bonds, supramolecular chemistry, and microcapsules.
- Material Design: New strategies for creating self-healing polymers, elastomers, and composites.
- Characterization and Modeling: Advanced techniques to study and predict healing processes.
- Multifunctionality: Combining self-healing with conductivity, biocompatibility, etc.
- Applications: From smart coatings and seals to biomedical devices and energy systems.
We cordially invite researchers to submit their original research articles, communications, and reviews that will contribute to the advancement of this transformative field. By sharing your valuable work, you will help to define the future advances in intelligent, durable, and sustainable polymeric and elastomeric materials.
Dr. Supachok Tanpichai
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. Polymers 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
- self-healing polymers
- composites
- elastomers
- dynamic chemistry
- supramolecular chemistry
- soft robotics
- durability
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