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Polymers
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Biodegradable Polymers and Their Emerging Applications
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Biodegradable Polymers and Their Emerging Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 9102

Special Issue Editors

Dr. António Aguiar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Natural Resources and The Environment (CERENA), Instituto Superior Técnico da Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: biodegradable polymers; microencapsulation; material characterization; adhesives; polymer electronics; organic photovoltaics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mónica V. Loureiro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Natural Resources and The Environment (CERENA), Instituto Superior Técnico da Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: polymer materials; biodegradable polymers; microencapsulation; adhesives; polymer synthesis; materials characterization
Dr. Rui Galhano Dos Santos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Natural Resources and The Environment (CERENA), Instituto Superior Técnico da Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: biomass and residues valorization; polymer materials; thermochemical processes; sustainable processes; circular economy;
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the detrimental impact of traditional non-biodegradable polymers on ecosystems and human health has prompted a shift towards sustainable and benign alternatives. Biodegradable polymers are pivotal in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis by offering eco-friendly options. These polymers help alleviate the burden on ecosystems and oceans by breaking down naturally over time into non-toxic components.

Even though well-known biodegradable polymers are available on the market, presenting alternatives for different applications, the range of choices is still quite limited. Additionally, biodegradable polymers confront challenges regarding mechanical properties, cost, scalability, and public awareness.

This Special Issue aims to curate novel advances in the development of biodegradable polymers and their emerging applications. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Synthesis of novel biodegradable polymers;
  • Physico-chemical and/or mechanical characterization of novel biodegradable polymers;
  • New biodegradable polymer composites;
  • New trends in biodegradable polymers;
  • Biodegradability studies;
  • Application of biodegradable polymers;
  • Life cycle analysis of new biodegradable polymer products.

We invite you to contribute by sharing your innovative research results, fostering a deeper understanding, and promoting the widespread dissemination of knowledge on biodegradable polymers.

Dr. António Aguiar
Dr. Mónica V. Loureiro
Dr. Rui Galhano Dos Santos
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • biodegradability
  • biodegradable polymers
  • environmentally friendly polymers
  • biodegradable composites
  • biodegradability studies
  • applications of biodegradable polymers
  • biopolymers
  • circular economy
  • sustainability

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4307 KiB  
Article
Valorising Insect Exoskeleton Biomass Filler in Bioplastic-Based Eco-Friendly Rigid Items for Agriculture Applications
by Norma Mallegni, Vito Gigante, Steven Verstichel, Marco Sandroni, Neetu Malik, Miriam Cappello, Damiano Rossi, Sara Filippi, Andrea Lazzeri, Maurizia Seggiani and Patrizia Cinelli
Polymers 2025, 17(7), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070943 - 30 Mar 2025
Viewed by 385
Abstract
In this work, by-products from insect farming valorisation are proposed as filler in biocomposite production, with relevant biodegradation in compost and valuable thermal and mechanical properties. Thus, we report on the preparation, properties, and biodegradability in compost of composites based on Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) [...] Read more.
In this work, by-products from insect farming valorisation are proposed as filler in biocomposite production, with relevant biodegradation in compost and valuable thermal and mechanical properties. Thus, we report on the preparation, properties, and biodegradability in compost of composites based on Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHB-HV) (70/30% by weight as a polymeric matrix, with filler from insect exoskeleton (I) up to 15% by weight in the 85% by weight of polymeric matrix. The insect biomass was a by-product obtained from grinding the insect’s post-protein extraction dry exoskeleton. The composites were produced by melt extrusion and characterised in terms of processability, thermal stability, morphology, and mechanical properties to select formulations optimised for injection moulding processing. The optimised composites (PBSA/PHB-HV) with 15% by weight of filler were used to produce pots by injection moulding on an industrial scale extruder. Selected formulations were tested for biodegradability in compost, which evidenced the relevance of insect exoskeleton filler for meeting the requirements for the disintegration of rigid items. This paper presents a sustainable option for valorising the insect exoskeleton residue that remained after protein extraction for animal feed production and reducing the production cost of PBSA/PHB-HV-based composites without compromising the mechanical properties for application as rigid items in agriculture, all while promoting biodegradability in industrial compost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers and Their Emerging Applications)
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21 pages, 4767 KiB  
Article
Bio-Microcapsules of Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Isocyanates: Towards Sustainable, Safer, and Efficient Adhesives
by Lucas P. Marcelino, António Aguiar, Rui Galhano dos Santos, Isabel Pinho and Ana C. Marques
Polymers 2025, 17(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17020139 - 8 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1191
Abstract
This work describes the encapsulation of three different aliphatic isocyanates to reduce the risks associated with isocyanates’ direct handling. The use of bio-based polybutylene succinate (bio-PBS) increases the sustainability factor as it allows for the use of microcapsules (MCs) from renewable sources with [...] Read more.
This work describes the encapsulation of three different aliphatic isocyanates to reduce the risks associated with isocyanates’ direct handling. The use of bio-based polybutylene succinate (bio-PBS) increases the sustainability factor as it allows for the use of microcapsules (MCs) from renewable sources with biodegradable features. The three different MCs (MCs-Monomer, MCs-Trimer, and MCs-Polymer) are spherical, crack-free, and matrix-type, containing an isocyanate payload between 67 wt% and 70 wt%. Protection against environmental moisture was improved, resulting in losses of less than 10% for most cases after one month. The bio-PBS MCs were found to be suitable as crosslinking agents in high-performance adhesive formulations for the footwear industry. Adhesive joints with encapsulated isocyanate exhibited peel strength values ranging from 3.28 to 4.56 N/mm, well above the minimum requirements for the intended footwear application. Additionally, these joints demonstrated improved creep resistance compared to those using non-encapsulated isocyanates. In this context, the MCs-Trimer stood out, providing exceptional thermal robustness to the joints, as they showed no failure or opening at 90 °C, consistent with commercial adhesives. These results confirm that bio-PBS MCs can be excellent components for future adhesive formulations and that matrix-type MCs can also be utilised for this purpose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers and Their Emerging Applications)
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18 pages, 9209 KiB  
Article
Microstructural Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Microcellulose from Bamboo (Bambusa longispatha) for Reinforcing Ordinary Portland Cement Matrix
by Parichat Thipchai, Kittisak Jantanasakulwong, Choncharoen Sawangrat, Jonghwan Suhr, Kittiphat Khotchapong, Pitiwat Wattanachai and Pornchai Rachtanapun
Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3558; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243558 - 20 Dec 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1127
Abstract
This study investigates the microstructural characterization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and microcellulose (MC) extracted from bamboo fibers (Bambusa longispatha) and their potential as reinforcement agents in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) composites. CNC with a mean particle size of 29.3 nm and [...] Read more.
This study investigates the microstructural characterization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and microcellulose (MC) extracted from bamboo fibers (Bambusa longispatha) and their potential as reinforcement agents in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) composites. CNC with a mean particle size of 29.3 nm and MC with a mean size of 14.6 × 103 nm were incorporated into OPC at varying concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% by cement mass). The compressive strength analysis revealed that increasing MC content led to a decrease in strength, with reductions ranging from 8.8% to 25.9% relative to the control OPC, while the CNC-enhanced composite at 0.4% achieved the highest compressive strength of 43.2 MPa. Flexural strength analysis indicated a minor increase in strength with MC addition (from 7.5 MPa to 8.1 MPa), while CNC addition at 0.1% improved flexural strength to 8.2 MPa but declined with higher concentrations. SEM and stereo microscopy demonstrated MC and CNC dispersion and highlighted microstructural differences, including pore distribution in the composites. XRD analysis showed increased crystallinity for CNC composites compared to pure OPC, with the highest crystallinity index of 52.2% observed at 0.4% CNC. This study highlights that CNC at specific concentrations can enhance OPC mechanical properties, while higher MC and CNC additions may impact strength properties variably due to their microstructural integration and crystallinity. These findings support the potential for bamboo-derived cellulose materials in enhancing cementitious composite performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers and Their Emerging Applications)
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16 pages, 5006 KiB  
Article
Production of Nanocellulose from Sugarcane Bagasse and Development of Nanocellulose Conjugated with Polylysine for Fumonisin B1 Toxicity Absorption
by Parichat Thipchai, Korawan Sringarm, Winita Punyodom, Kittisak Jantanasakulwong, Sarinthip Thanakkasaranee, Rangsan Panyathip, Chaiwat Arjin and Pornchai Rachtanapun
Polymers 2024, 16(13), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131881 - 1 Jul 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2152
Abstract
The present study aimed to extract nanocellulose (NC) from sugarcane bagasse agricultural waste through a chemical method (sulfuric acid hydrolysis and ultrasonication). Subsequently, the nanocellulose product was conjugated with polylysine (NC–PL) and assessed for its efficacy in reducing the toxicity of Fumonisin B1 [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to extract nanocellulose (NC) from sugarcane bagasse agricultural waste through a chemical method (sulfuric acid hydrolysis and ultrasonication). Subsequently, the nanocellulose product was conjugated with polylysine (NC–PL) and assessed for its efficacy in reducing the toxicity of Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced by fungi commonly found in corn, wheat, and other grains. Experimental results confirmed the successful conjugation of NC and PL, as evidenced by FTIR peaks at 1635 and 1625 cm−1 indicating amide I and amide II vibrations in polylysine (PL). SEM analysis revealed a larger size due to PL coating, consistent with DLS results showing the increased size and positive charge (38.0 mV) on the NC–PL surface. Moreover, the effect of FB1 adsorption by NC and NC–PL was evaluated at various concentrations (0–200,000 μg/mL). NC–PL demonstrated the ability to adsorb FB1 at concentrations of 2000, 20,000, and 200,000 μg/mL, with adsorption efficiencies of 94.4–100%. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells were utilized to assess NC and NC–PL cytotoxic effects. This result is a preliminary step towards standardizing results for future studies on their application as novel FB1 binders in food, food packaging, and functional feeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers and Their Emerging Applications)
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20 pages, 3837 KiB  
Article
Modification of a Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogel Film with Citric Acid and Glutaraldehyde Crosslink Agents to Enhance the Anti-Inflammatory Effectiveness of Triamcinolone Acetonide in Wound Healing
by Kanticha Pratinthong, Winita Punyodom, Pensak Jantrawut, Kittisak Jantanasakulwong, Wirongrong Tongdeesoontorn, Montira Sriyai, Rangsan Panyathip, Sarinthip Thanakkasaranee, Patnarin Worajittiphon, Nuttapol Tanadchangsaeng and Pornchai Rachtanapun
Polymers 2024, 16(13), 1798; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131798 - 25 Jun 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3305
Abstract
Anti-inflammatory wound healing involves targeted drug delivery to the wound site using hydrogel materials to prolong drug effectiveness. In this work, hydrogel films were fabricated using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) crosslinked with citric acid (CA) and glutaraldehyde (GA) at different [...] Read more.
Anti-inflammatory wound healing involves targeted drug delivery to the wound site using hydrogel materials to prolong drug effectiveness. In this work, hydrogel films were fabricated using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) crosslinked with citric acid (CA) and glutaraldehyde (GA) at different concentrations. The crosslinker densities were optimized with various CA (2–10% w/v) and GA (1–5% v/v) concentrations. The optimized crosslink densities in the hydrogel exhibited additional functional group peaks in the FT-IR spectra at 1740 cm−1 for the C=O stretching of the ester linkage in CA and at 1060 cm−1 for the C-O-C stretching of the ether group in GA. Significantly, the internal porous structures of hydrogel composite films improved density, swelling capacities, solubility percentage reduction, and decreased water retention capacities with optimized crosslinker densities. Therefore, these hydrogel composite films were utilized as drug carriers for controlled drug release within 24 h during medical treatment. Moreover, the hydrogel films demonstrated increased triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) absorption with higher crosslinker density, resulting in delayed drug release and improved TAA efficiency in anti-inflammatory activity. As a result, the modified hydrogel showed the capability of being an alternative material with enhanced anti-inflammatory efficiency with hydrogel films. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers and Their Emerging Applications)
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