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Adsorption of Pollutants from the Environment Using Polymers and Their Composites

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Dr. Timothy O. Ajiboye

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Interests: water remediation; polymeric composite; nanocomposites; inorganic complexes; antimicrobial

Dr. Ernestine Atangana

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Guest Editor

Centre for Environmental Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Interests: biodegradable polymer, polymer blend, natural fibre-polymer, water reseource mangemrent, waste management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on groundbreaking research on the application of polymer composites for the adsorption and removal of environmental pollutants. The focus is on innovative, cross-disciplinary methods that contribute to environmental remediation. Drawing from more than half a century of published studies of global interest, this journal invites submissions that explore the chemical, physical and biological processes influencing environmental pollution such as impacts on flora, fauna, water, air and soil.

We welcome the submissions of original research articles and well-structured reviews on the following topics:

Learning new techniques for understanding environmental contaminates and remediation methods.
Toxicological, molecular and environmental research in pollution.
Climate change, the ecological effects of pollution and sophisticated modelling
The impacts of pollutants on soil, water and air quality.
Synthesis, characterization and enhancement of polymeric adsorbents and their composites.
Management, recycling and disposal of the spent polymeric adsorbents.
Polymer/carbonaceous material adsorbents for detection and removal of organic and inorganic pollutants in water bodies.

This Special Issue will highlight recent advances in polymer composite technologies targeted at addressing increasingly prominent water and environmental pollution problems. We highly encourage contributions that offer multidisciplinary approaches on pollution mitigation and sustainable development.

To help maintain academic integrity and fairness, we have strict submission limits: no author can submit more than four manuscripts or be cited more than four times across submissions. These actions help preserve the integrity and quality of the Special Issue.

Dr. Timothy O. Ajiboye
Dr. Ernestine Atangana
Guest Editors

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23 pages, 7985 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Characterization of PBS/EA Cellulose and PCL/EA Cellulose Biocomposites: Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Insights for Sustainable Applications

by Fisokuhle Innocentia Kumalo, Moipone Alice Malimabe, Mafereka Francis Tyson Mosoabisane and Thandi Patricia Gumede

Polymers 2025, 17(7), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070971 - 2 Apr 2025

Viewed by 297

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of Eucomis autumnalis (EA) cellulose on the structural, thermal, and crystallization behaviour of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) composites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that in both matrices, EA cellulose promoted nucleation, as indicated by increased peak intensity, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed reduced melting enthalpy, suggesting the formation of smaller, less perfect crystals. In PBS composites, EA cellulose acted as a crystallization disruptor, reducing crystallinity and enthalpy. Moreover, it slightly lowered the melting temperature. This is because EA cellulose contains β-(1→4) glycosidic bonds, which introduce –O– (ether) linkages along its polymer backbone. These linkages allow for a degree of rotational flexibility. When the cellulose is incorporated into PBS, this structural characteristic may contribute to a reduction in T_m, likely by disrupting the crystallization of PBS chains. At 1 wt.% EA cellulose, broader, more intense melting peaks indicated imperfect crystal formation, while higher loadings (3 and 5 wt.%) resulted in narrower, less intense peaks, reflecting reduced crystallinity. These results are consistent with cooling-curve results and SEM images showing structural irregularities. In PCL composites, EA cellulose similarly reduced crystallinity and enthalpy without significantly affecting melting or crystallization temperatures. The decrease in the melting enthalpy from 55.6 J/g to 47.6 J/g suggested the formation of thinner lamellae and less organized crystals, a conclusion supported by stable crystallization temperatures and declining peak intensities in cooling curves. The combination of XRD and DSC data highlighted the dual role of EA cellulose: it enhances nucleation while hindering crystal growth, leading to the formation of more amorphous structures in both PBS and PCL matrices. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential use of EA cellulose as a functional modifier to tailor the properties of biopolymer composites for environmentally friendly, biodegradable applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adsorption of Pollutants from the Environment Using Polymers and Their Composites)

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