Advanced Polymer-Functionalized Nanoparticles: Design, Biointerfaces, Self-Assembly, and Emerging Applications
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editors
Interests: biomaterials; polymers; electrospinning; nanofibers; carbon nanotubes; sensors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: molecular and nanoparticle self-assembly; nano-particle metamaterials; patterning/printing of nanomaterials
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Polymer-functionalized nanoparticles (PFNPs) are hybrid nanomaterials composed of inorganic NP cores coated with polymer chains. By integrating the unique physicochemical properties of inorganic NPs with the tunability and functionality of polymers, PFNPs bridge the characteristics of hard colloids and soft polymeric materials. Compared with conventional small-molecule ligands, polymer ligands provide enhanced colloidal stability, tunable responsiveness, biocompatibility, and rich self-assembly capabilities, enabling precise control over NP interactions and structural organization. These advantages significantly broaden the assembly pathways and programmability of PFNP-based systems, making them promising building blocks for advanced functional nanomaterials in biomedicine, catalysis, optics, electronics, and energy storage.
This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of PFNPs. Original research articles, communications, and reviews on intelligent material design, bioinspired nanomaterials, sustainable nanotechnology, and biomedical applications are particularly welcome. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Rational design and synthesis of PFNPs;
- Conformational behaviors and phase separation of PFNPs;
- Regulation of PFNP self-assembly;
- Stimuli-responsive smart PFNP-based nanomaterials;
- PFNP-based systems for optics and electronics;
- Catalysis and structure–activity relationships;
- PFNP-based systems for drug delivery and disease therapy;
- PFNP-based systems for biosensing and bio-diagnosis.
Prof. Dr. Gang Wei
Guest Editor
Dr. Liwei Dai
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-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
- rational design and synthesis of PFNPs
- conformational behaviors and phase separation of PFNPs
- regulation of PFNP self-assembly
- stimuli-responsive smart PFNP-based nanomaterials
- PFNP-based systems for optics and electronics
- catalysis and structure–activity relationships
- PFNP-based systems for drug delivery and disease therapy
- PFNP-based systems for biosensing and bio-diagnosis
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
