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Next-Generation Biobased Polymer Composites for Green Manufacturing and Sustainability

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 1054

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Next-generation biobased polymer composites are emerging as a key solution for sustainable and environmentally responsible manufacturing. These materials, renowned for their diverse properties, are well-suited for large-scale industrial applications and specialized sectors requiring precise material selection. Their versatility can be enhanced through various modification techniques, including the integration of fillers and the development of composite structures.

The incorporation of different types of fillers not only reduces material costs but also broadens the functional scope of polymer composites, making them adaptable to a wider range of uses. Thoroughly understanding their structural features, interrelationships, and comprehensive properties allows for the identification of optimal applications.

Ongoing advancements in material engineering, processing techniques, and sustainable innovation are driving forward commercialization efforts. These developments align with circular economy principles, supporting the transition to greener manufacturing practices.

Prof. Dr. Marek M. Kowalczuk
Dr. Marta Musioł
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • biobased polymers
  • composites
  • materials structure and property

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

26 pages, 17328 KB  
Article
Thyme Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Stabilized by Chitosan Nanoparticles for Potential Application in Food Preservation
by Lindoval S. Fonseca, Marcos A. das Neves, Mitsutoshi Nakajima, Barbara C. Damasceno, Lívia A. Souza, Itamara F. Leite, Suedina M. L. Silva and Marcus V. L. Fook
Polymers 2026, 18(9), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18091012 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 469
Abstract
The global demand for food has been increasing, presenting new challenges in meeting this demand. To address this growing need, the use of coating technology through nanoemulsions shows great potential. The use of thyme essential oil stabilized by chitosan nanoparticles offers a promising [...] Read more.
The global demand for food has been increasing, presenting new challenges in meeting this demand. To address this growing need, the use of coating technology through nanoemulsions shows great potential. The use of thyme essential oil stabilized by chitosan nanoparticles offers a promising and sustainable approach for the development of edible coatings. Chitosan was extracted from shrimp shell waste and used to produce nanoparticles via the ionotropic gelation method, using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a crosslinking agent. To prepare the nanoemulsions, thyme essential oil was used as the dispersed phase, combined with an aqueous phase containing chitosan nanoparticles and Tween 80 as the emulsifier. Two techniques were employed to produce nanoemulsions: high-pressure homogenization and ultrasonication. Nanoemulsion formulations with different concentrations were prepared and characterized in terms of droplet size (Z-Average) and stability using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The average droplet sizes obtained were above 100 nanometers for samples produced via high-pressure homogenization and below 100 nanometers for those prepared using ultrasonication. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed that both the method (p = 0.002) and the oil phase concentration (p < 0.001) had statistically significant effects on droplet size. Regression analysis showed that oil concentrations below 2.0 g (w/w) increased droplet size, while concentrations above 4.0 g (w/w) significantly reduced it (p < 0.05). However, physical stability tests conducted at 5 °C for 30 days showed consistent values across both formulations, with only minor fluctuations, suggesting overall good stability. Full article
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