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Advances in Polymer Composites for Water Treatment Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 1457

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
MCI—The Entrepreneurial School, Department of Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering, Maximilianstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Interests: water treatment; adsorption; membrane processes; PFAS removal; ion-exchange resins; non-thermal plasma; mixed-matrix membranes

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Guest Editor
Research Institute of Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics, Universität Innsbruck, Höchsterstrasse 73, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria
Interests: polymers; composites; fibers; indigo

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer composites have emerged as key materials in the field of water and wastewater treatment, offering enhanced performance due to their unique properties and versatility. This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in the development, characterization, and application of polymer composites for water treatment technologies. The scope includes both pure organic composites and organic/inorganic hybrids, with an emphasis on novel synthetic routes, the use of non-synthetic natural polymers, and the innovative application of these materials to target emerging contaminants. These materials are used in a variety of treatment processes, including membrane technology, adsorption, ion exchange, and coagulation/flocculation, demonstrating their enhanced performance and adaptability in tackling both conventional and more challenging pollutants. By exploring cutting-edge research and applications, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and findings in this field. We invite original research and review articles that highlight recent progress in the preparation, characterization, and application of polymer composites in water treatment, as well as studies on the integration of these materials into existing and emerging technologies. We look forward to receiving your contributions to this rapidly evolving and impactful area of research.

Dr. Jan O. Back
Dr. Michael Cordin
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • polymer composites
  • preparation
  • characterization
  • membrane technology
  • adsorption processes
  • ion exchangers
  • coagulation/flocculation
  • natural polymers
  • wastewater treatment
  • water treatment
  • contaminants of emerging concern

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2568 KB  
Article
PES/PVP Multi-Channel Mixed-Matrix Membranes with Embedded Activated Carbon for Co-Removal of Microorganisms and Extracellular DNA from Wastewater Effluent
by Jana Marx, Christian Margreiter, Verena Hettich, Christina Urban, Andreas Otto Wagner, Eva Maria Prem, Tung Pham, Martin Spruck and Jan Back
Polymers 2026, 18(10), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18101219 - 16 May 2026
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Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance genes threaten the effective treatment of infectious diseases, underscoring the importance of their control in line with the EU One Health policy. Wastewater treatment plants are recognized hotspots for antimicrobial resistance. We assessed whether multi-channel mixed-matrix membranes (MCMMMs)—polyethersulfone (PES)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) ultrafiltration [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance genes threaten the effective treatment of infectious diseases, underscoring the importance of their control in line with the EU One Health policy. Wastewater treatment plants are recognized hotspots for antimicrobial resistance. We assessed whether multi-channel mixed-matrix membranes (MCMMMs)—polyethersulfone (PES)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) ultrafiltration membranes with embedded activated carbon—can concurrently reduce microorganisms and extracellular DNA in wastewater effluent, building on prior reports of micropollutant removal. We evaluated the performance of MCMMMs in removing Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model organisms, as well as colony-forming units (CFUs) from wastewater effluent at a transmembrane pressure of 1 bar with a filtration area of 66 cm2 over 1 h. DNA was extracted from wastewater effluent following filtration and analyzed to assess changes in microbial community composition. MCMMMs achieved log10 reductions of 5.47 ± 0.42 (Escherichia coli), 5.99 ± 0.46 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and 2.79 ± 0.31 (wastewater CFU); reductions by pure PES/PVP membranes were comparable: higher for Escherichia coli and wastewater CFUs, lower for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Amplicon sequencing showed altered relative abundances in wastewater effluent. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the potential of MCMMMs to simultaneously remove microorganisms, extracellular DNA, and micropollutants, highlighting their suitability for water treatment applications within the One Health framework. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Composites for Water Treatment Applications)
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Review

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39 pages, 3764 KB  
Review
The Use of 3D-Printed Polymer Components for the Removal of Heavy Metals and Dyes from Water: A Systematic Literature Review
by Catarina S. P. Borges and Ana P. Piedade
Polymers 2026, 18(9), 1029; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18091029 - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Water is one of the most valuable resources on the planet; without it, life as we know it could not exist. Consequently, its increasing scarcity and pollution, which are mainly due to industrialization and changing consumption patterns, intensify the stress on water resources. [...] Read more.
Water is one of the most valuable resources on the planet; without it, life as we know it could not exist. Consequently, its increasing scarcity and pollution, which are mainly due to industrialization and changing consumption patterns, intensify the stress on water resources. At the same time, industrial activities contribute to water contamination with pollutants such as heavy metals, further reducing water availability. Due to their risks to human health and ecosystems, effective removal strategies are essential. Among the emerging approaches, polymer-based additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing (3DP), has gained attention for water treatment due to its versatility, precise control over structure and porosity, and ease of processing, while remaining at a low cost. Additionally, the polymers used have interesting adsorbent properties and allow for the incorporation of functional additives, further enhancing their performance. This review analyses the recent advances in 3D-printed polymeric materials for the removal of heavy metals and dyes, focusing on material composition, manufacturing technologies, geometry, removal mechanisms, performance, and regeneration. It was concluded that metal ions and cationic dyes are primarily removed through adsorption, due to interactions with negatively charged surfaces that are often enhanced by high-affinity additives. Anionic dyes are generally less effectively removed by adsorption and often rely on degradation mechanisms. However, adsorption of anionic dyes can occur, for instance when the adsorbent surface is modified to introduce positively charged functional groups. The ability of 3DP to create hierarchical porous structures combining micro-, meso-, and macropores improves fluid flow and contact area, thereby enhancing the removal efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Composites for Water Treatment Applications)
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