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Epoxy-Based Polymers and Composites: From Tailored Properties to Advanced Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 1486

Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: physico-chemical properties, structure, morphology and durability of macromolecular systems; design and development of smart and/or nanostructured materials; synthesis of self-healing microcapsules; multifunctional carbon-based hybrid materials for aircraft lightning strike protection; thermosetting composites with self-restoration function capable at very low temperatures; conductive and flame-retardant nanofilled aeronautic composites; self-responsive materials; 3D printing; FTIR spectroscopy; morphological analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and tunneling atomic force microscopy (TUNA) techniques

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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers; carbonaceous nanofillers; smart functions of nanocomposites; self-sensing materials; piezoresistive composites; electro-thermal heating; heat transfer phenomena; self-healing polymers; polymer processing; 3D printing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Epoxy-based polymers and composites represent a class of highly versatile materials, characterized by an exceptional combination of mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties. Thanks to their network structure, these materials offer superior strength and stiffness compared to other types of polymers, making them ideal for applications in advanced industries, from construction to aerospace. Epoxy resins can be formulated with various chemistries to optimize their properties according to specific needs. For example, the addition of fillers or additives can increase hardness, improve impact resistance, or provide flame-retardant properties. This customization capability allows engineers to design materials tailored to specific applications, addressing unique challenges in various industries. The applications of epoxy resins are broad and include the production of high-performance adhesives, durable coatings, and lightweight composites used in the aerospace industry. Thanks to their excellent adhesion to various substrates and chemical resistance, epoxy polymers are particularly suitable for electronic encapsulation and the manufacturing of structural components for spacecraft. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of eco-friendly epoxy polymers derived from renewable sources, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of the production of synthetic materials. These developments are paving the way for new possibilities in sustainability, without compromising performance.

Dr. Marialuigia Raimondo
Guest Editor

Dr. Francesca Aliberti
Guest Editor Assistant

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-anonymized 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

  • smart carbon–polymer nanocomposites
  • self-responsive polymers
  • material processing
  • 3D printing
  • aerospace
  • electronics
  • recyclability
  • flame-retardant epoxy composites
  • renewable energy
  • biomedical applications

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 6922 KB  
Article
Interfacial Polarization-Driven Dielectric–Magnetic Synergy in Vitrimeric f-MWNT/ZnO Composites: Effect of MWNT Functionalization
by Nehal Kaushik, Madhuri Surya, Divyanshi Nautiyal, Rajkumar Patel and Sravendra Rana
Polymers 2026, 18(11), 1374; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18111374 - 1 Jun 2026
Viewed by 560
Abstract
The rise in electromagnetic radiation has created a dire need for the development of sheer absorbing composites with tunable dielectric and magnetic responses. With interfacial engineering in carbonaceous systems, high absorption efficiency and sheerness can be obtained in the X-band region. In this [...] Read more.
The rise in electromagnetic radiation has created a dire need for the development of sheer absorbing composites with tunable dielectric and magnetic responses. With interfacial engineering in carbonaceous systems, high absorption efficiency and sheerness can be obtained in the X-band region. In this work, acid-functionalized carbon nanotube/ZnO (f-MWNT/ZnO) composites have been developed and investigated to understand the effect of functionalization on electromagnetic response. Permittivity data revealed a stronger frequency-dependent response in f-MWNT/ZnO, ascribed to polarization losses induced by oxygen-containing functional groups. Furthermore, dielectric loss and Cole–Cole plots indicated numerous Debye relaxation processes in combination with Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarizations. Permeability measurements signify distinct peaks for f-MWNT/ZnO attributed to exchange and natural resonance; however, the pristine carbon nanotube-derived (MWNT/ZnO) composite exhibits a weaker response. Stemming from the synergy of dielectric–magnetic interactions and improved impedance matching, the f-MWNT/ZnO composite with a thickness of 1.9 mm achieved an RL of −12.7 dB, corresponding to a ~94% absorption efficiency at 12.3 GHz. Additionally, the composite exhibited autonomous self-healing, enabling the reintegration of two separated segments at 70 °C for 40 min. The findings highlight the critical role of functionalization in tailoring interfacial characteristics and enhancing absorption performance. Full article
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20 pages, 18171 KB  
Article
Development and Research of Anti-Corrosion Polymer Coatings with Microdefect Blocking Effect
by Svetlana Tyurina, Victor Demin, Vyacheslav Shchelkov, Alexander Ilyin, Sofia Sidorova, Nikita Rashutin and Peter Rusinov
Polymers 2026, 18(11), 1292; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18111292 - 25 May 2026
Viewed by 586
Abstract
Corrosion of materials is a global issue affecting various industries. It leads to a gradual decline in the durability and reliability of materials, resulting in significant economic losses and posing serious risks to human health. To address the challenge of enhancing reliability and [...] Read more.
Corrosion of materials is a global issue affecting various industries. It leads to a gradual decline in the durability and reliability of materials, resulting in significant economic losses and posing serious risks to human health. To address the challenge of enhancing reliability and durability when materials are exposed to aggressive environments, this study developed new polymer protective coatings. These coatings involve reinforcing an epoxy resin-based polymer matrix with zinc and microencapsulated corrosion inhibitors (activated Al2O3 + HEDP; activated Al2O3 + PPA; activated Al2O3 + ATMP). These microscopic containers encapsulate the corrosion inhibitors. The microstructure of the microcapsules was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. Accelerated corrosion tests were performed on the reinforced modified coatings. Coatings reinforced with activated Al2O3 + HEDP microcapsules demonstrated excellent corrosion resistance in a 3% NaCl solution. In contrast, samples coated with unmodified zinc-filled coatings and coatings modified with Al2O3 + PPA exhibited the lowest resistance in a 3% NaCl solution. The study also investigated the microdefect-blocking effect in reinforced coatings, which is achieved by filling the pores of the polymer coating with products formed from inhibitor–metal interactions. Full article
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