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Polymer-Enabled Materials for Circular and Sustainable Pavements

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 3321

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Editors

Dr. Yongping Hu

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
Interests: bitumen ageing; rejuvenation; polymer modification of asphalt materials; asphalt recycling; circular economy; sustainable and low-carbon pavements; durability and resilience of pavement materials; life cycle assessment; life cycle cost analysis; smart pavement technologies

Dr. Xiaoqing Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710054, China
Interests: application of PCMs in pavement engineering; application of polymeric materials in pavement engineering; numerical simulation of asphalt mixture; crack and freeze-thaw cycle resistance of asphalt mixt

Dr. Jiange Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710054, China
Interests: smart road materials; intelligent construction; polymer materials engineering; high-value recycle of waste materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of sustainable and resilient transportation infrastructure requires innovative material solutions that can enhance durability while reducing environmental impact. Polymer-based materials have been widely explored in pavement and infrastructure engineering due to their ability to improve mechanical performance, resistance to ageing and environmental degradation, and multifunctional properties. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to circular material strategies, including recycled polymers, regenerative additives, thermally adaptive materials, and bio-based polymer systems for infrastructure applications.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in polymer-enabled sustainable infrastructure materials, with particular emphasis on circular economy approaches, ageing and regeneration mechanisms, and functional material design. Contributions addressing multi-scale characterisation, advanced modelling, durability assessment, and field performance of polymer-modified materials are especially encouraged. Emerging applications such as self-healing materials, sensing-enabled infrastructure, and low-carbon construction technologies are also welcomed.

By integrating perspectives from polymer science, materials engineering, and transportation infrastructure research, this Special Issue seeks to promote innovative solutions that support long-life, low-carbon, and resource-efficient infrastructure systems.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Circular polymer materials for infrastructure;
Polymer-assisted recycling of asphalt and construction materials;
Bio-based and renewable polymers in pavement engineering;
Polymer ageing, rejuvenation, and regeneration mechanisms;
Multi-scale characterisation of polymer-modified materials;
Self-healing and smart polymer-enabled pavements;
Functional polymers for sensing and monitoring infrastructure;
Life cycle assessment and carbon reduction of polymer materials;
High-value recycling of polymer-modified asphalt pavements;
Application of phase change materials (PCMs) in pavement engineering;
Polymer-enabled materials for bridges and tunnels;
Advanced materials for infrastructure, including fungal- and bacterial-enhanced self-healing technologies;
Antioxidants for bitumen and asphalt mixtures.

Dr. Yongping Hu
Dr. Xiaoqing Wang
Dr. Jiange Li
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-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

sustainable pavement
antioxidation
low-carbon transportation
ageing and rejuvenation
circular economy
phase change material

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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40 pages, 43449 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Rubberized RCC Using Locally Sourced Waste Rubber Tire Powder and GGBFS-Based Binder

by İrfan Ş. Öztürk, Furkan Abdurrahman Sarı, Yakup Önal, Sercan Serin, Mehmet Emiroğlu, Hakan Güler and Tahir Gönen

Polymers 2026, 18(17), 2046; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18172046 - 23 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study investigates roller-compacted concrete (RCC) in which fine aggregate was replaced with waste rubber tire powder (WRTP) at 0–16% by volume, using a binder containing 40% ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS). Fresh, mechanical, transport-related, microstructural, and environmental aspects were evaluated. While WRTP reduced workability, density, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), UPV values remained within the “excellent” classification range. Among the investigated mixtures, 2% WRTP provided the most favorable overall performance, increasing the 28-day compressive strength from 26.6 to 28.2 MPa, the 90-day compressive strength from 31.1 to 37.8 MPa, the flexural strength from 3.33 to 3.47 MPa, and the splitting tensile strength from 1.81 to 2.37 MPa. The 2% WRTP mixture also reduced the secondary capillary absorption coefficient by approximately 32.3%, from 0.00127 to 0.00086 mm/√s. Higher WRTP contents progressively decreased compressive strength and static modulus of elasticity, whereas flexural strength was comparatively less affected. SEM/EDS observations revealed more pronounced interfacial voids and discontinuities at higher WRTP contents, consistent with the observed performance decline. A simplified cradle-to-gate embodied-carbon assessment indicated that the 40% GGBFS binder substitution was the primary contributor to the estimated carbon reduction, with the reference and 2% WRTP mixtures exhibiting approximately 33.4% and 33.1% lower embodied carbon, respectively, than the hypothetical cement-only RCC baseline. In addition, the 2% WRTP mixture incorporated 6.43 kg/m³ of waste tire-derived rubber, providing an additional waste-utilization benefit. Overall, low WRTP incorporation, particularly at 2%, combined with a GGBFS-based binder provided a favorable balance between engineering performance, reduced embodied carbon, and waste utilization under the investigated conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Enabled Materials for Circular and Sustainable Pavements)

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33 pages, 5571 KB

Open AccessArticle

Formulation Optimization and Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of Waterborne Acrylic Road Marking Paints via Orthogonal Experiment and Weighted Comprehensive Scoring

by Zhi Zheng, Naisheng Guo, Hongbin Zhu, Xiaoqing Wang, Haoliang Li, Jincheng Wang, Zidong Zhou and Xuelian Li

Polymers 2026, 18(16), 1935; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18161935 - 7 Aug 2026

Viewed by 317

Abstract

Conventional solvent-based and hot-melt road marking paints face significant challenges regarding high volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and limited durability, necessitating the development of eco-friendly, high-performance alternatives. In this study, a waterborne acrylic road marking paint was systematically formulated and optimized using an L₁₆(4⁵) orthogonal experimental design coupled with a comprehensive weighted scoring method integrating subjective and objective (entropy) weights. Four key formulation parameters (pigment-to-binder ratio, titanium dioxide content, ground calcium carbonate content, and coalescing agent dosage) were investigated, with abrasion resistance, hiding power, luminance factor, and stain resistance as evaluation criteria. The optimized formulation was identified through range analysis of comprehensive scores and subsequently subjected to rigorous performance characterization, including retroreflectivity optimization, Taber and accelerated abrasion testing, UV-accelerated weathering, skid resistance, and VOC emissions measurement using a self-designed sealed chamber system. Benchmark comparisons against commercial waterborne and hot-melt paints demonstrated that the developed formulation achieves superior abrasion resistance, exceptional weatherability, and meaningfully lower VOC emissions. Field application on an operational highway section in Liaoning Province, China, confirmed the practical constructability and performance reliability of the optimized paint under real-world construction conditions. This research provides both theoretical guidance and practical validation for the design of sustainable, durable, and highly visible road marking materials, contributing to the advancement of environmentally responsible transportation infrastructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Enabled Materials for Circular and Sustainable Pavements)

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16 pages, 2302 KB

Open AccessArticle

Polyurethane-Modified Epoxy Crack Sealant for Climate-Specific Asphalt Pavement Repair

by Xinmei Zhang, Biao Ma, Yan Shi, Jiafei Shu, Jianmin Liao and Tao Chen

Polymers 2026, 18(13), 1617; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18131617 - 29 Jun 2026

Viewed by 315

Abstract

Polyurethane-modified epoxy crack sealants can combine the cohesive strength of epoxy networks with the flexibility required for asphalt pavement crack repair. However, their selection under different winter pavement-temperature conditions requires an integrated evaluation of workability, low-temperature transition, dimensional stability, aging resistance, and interfacial adhesion. In this study, six ambient-curing polyurethane-modified epoxy crack sealants (EUPC) were prepared and assessed under representative winter pavement-temperature conditions, with SBS-modified asphalt used as a reference. All EUPC formulations satisfied the 30 min construction-window requirement, showed T_g values below 0 °C, T_5% values above 300 °C, and curing volume shrinkage no higher than 3.0%. After moisture–oxygen–ultraviolet coupled aging, the formulations retained a substantial proportion of both tensile strength and elongation, with EUPC-3/EUPC-4 showing a relatively balanced strength–ductility response. Compared with SBS-modified asphalt, the climate-matched EUPC formulations provided higher direct tensile adhesion, oblique shear adhesion, and flexural–tensile repair recovery. Overall, EUPC-1/EUPC-2, EUPC-3/EUPC-4, and EUPC-5/EUPC-6 are more suitable for mild, cold, and severe low-temperature winter conditions, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Enabled Materials for Circular and Sustainable Pavements)

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16 pages, 18485 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rheological Evolution and Viscoelastic Transition of Ambient-Curing Epoxy–Urethane Reactive Polymer Composites

by Xinmei Zhang, Yan Shi, Dongliang Wang, Biao Ma, Jianmin Liao and Tao Chen

Polymers 2026, 18(13), 1581; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18131581 - 25 Jun 2026

Viewed by 379

Abstract

Ambient-curing epoxy–urethane reactive polymer composites require a balance between initial flowability and subsequent structure buildup. In this study, epoxy–urethane reactive polymer composites containing precipitated calcium carbonate were prepared and referred to as EUPC formulations. Their rheological evolution was characterized by flow sweep, temperature sweep, time sweep, three-interval thixotropy tests (3ITT), amplitude sweep, and oscillatory time sweep. The formulations exhibited distinct initial flow resistance and strong temperature sensitivity, with apparent viscosity decreasing as temperature increased. During ambient curing, viscosity increased continuously, indicating progressive rheological buildup under the selected testing conditions. The 3ITT results showed high-shear-induced apparent viscosity reduction followed by recovery-stage viscosity evolution after returning to the low-shear condition, indicating that the recovery index should be interpreted as an apparent post-shear recovery index rather than a purely thixotropic recovery parameter. Oscillatory measurements revealed a gradual transition from viscous-dominated to more elastic-dominated behavior, and the apparent gel time followed the sequence EUPC-2 < EUPC-4 < EUPC-1 < EUPC-3 < EUPC-5 < EUPC-6. These results indicate that EUPC processability and structure buildup should be evaluated by integrating initial viscosity, temperature sensitivity, post-shear response, and operational viscous-to-elastic transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Enabled Materials for Circular and Sustainable Pavements)

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20 pages, 8050 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rheological Properties and Microscopic Mechanisms of Composite-Modified Asphalt with Direct Coal Liquefaction Residue

by Yongxiang Li, Chaoyang Guo, Shizhong Mi, Xuliang Zhang, Jinbo Bai, Yongjie Jia, Hongyin Yu and Jing Li

Polymers 2026, 18(10), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18101192 - 13 May 2026

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Abstract

To enhance the overall performance of direct coal liquefaction residue (DCLR)-modified asphalt, particularly its low-temperature cracking resistance, SBS and aromatic oil were employed for composite modification. Nine composite-modified asphalt formulations were prepared based on an orthogonal experimental design. High-and low-temperature rheological properties and microstructure of all modified asphalts were systematically evaluated using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), a bending beam rheometer (BBR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that composite modification significantly enhanced the high-temperature performance of the asphalt. Modified asphalt labeled as Sample No. 9 (9% DCLR, 4% SBS, and 6% aromatic oil) demonstrated the minimal non-recoverable creep compliance (

J_{n r}

) value of 0.58 kPa⁻¹ at 64 °C, indicating a 78.6% decrease relative to the matrix asphalt. In terms of low-temperature performance, Sample No. 3 satisfied the Superpave cracking resistance criterion, exhibiting a creep rate (

m

-value) of 0.312 at −12 °C. It was revealed by FTIR analysis that the interaction between the composite modifier and the base asphalt was mainly physical blending, and no new functional groups were generated either before or after aging. The improvement in performance was attributed to the physical compatibility and structural reorganization among the components. Microstructural analysis revealed that the uniform dispersion of modifiers in matrix asphalt and the subsequent formation of a dense micelle structure after aging contributed to the enhanced macroscopic performance. This study provides theoretical and technical support for the high-value application of DCLR in asphalt pavements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Enabled Materials for Circular and Sustainable Pavements)

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33 pages, 17644 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Modification and Performance Evaluation of Eucommia ulmoides Gum as a Natural and Sustainable Energy Resource and Its Application in Road Engineering

by Shichao Cui, Naisheng Guo, Jun Zhang, Guangshuai Wu, Hongbin Zhu and Yiqiu Tan

Polymers 2026, 18(9), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18091030 - 24 Apr 2026

Viewed by 650

Abstract

Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG), a sustainable plant-derived natural polymer, was functionalized via three distinct routes, including vulcanization, epoxidation, and hydroxylation to yield vulcanized (VEUG), epoxidized (EEUG), and hydroxylated EUG (HEUG), respectively. We systematically characterized the effects of modification route and degree on the chemical structure, crystallization behavior, thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of functionalized EUG and further evaluated the high/low-temperature performance, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the corresponding modified asphalt binders (VEMA, EEMA, HEMA) as a function of modifier type and loading. For VEUG, C-S cross-linking networks formed during vulcanization suppress EUG crystallization, enabling a rigid-plastic to elastic transition, while high-temperature cleavage of C-S bonds reduces its initial thermal stability. For EEUG, epoxidation breaks C=C double bonds and introduces epoxy groups to strengthen intermolecular interactions; subsequent ring-opening grafting of hydroxyl groups onto EEUG yields HEUG, which forms additional cross-links via dynamic hydrogen bonds. Increasing modification degree for both EEUG and HEUG reduces their number- and weight-average molecular weights with narrower distribution, diminishes crystallinity, enhances thermal stability and hydrophilicity, and drives a rigid-plastic to elastic transition, characterized by decreased strength (0.65 MPa < σ_HEUG < σ_EEUG < 10.18 MPa) and markedly improved ductility (143.6% < ε_EEUG < 262.0%, 679.9% < ε_HEUG < 1360.3%). In asphalt binders, VEUG’s cross-linked network endows VEMA with refined more abundant bee-like microstructures, drastically boosting high- and low-temperature performance: relative to pristine EUG-modified asphalt (EUGMA), VEMA’s DMT modulus decreases by 94%, and adhesion increases by 87%. EEMA forms covalent bonds with polar asphalt components via epoxy groups, while HEMA constructs a hydrogen-bonded cross-linked network; both effectively inhibit asphaltene aggregation. With increasing modifier loading, EEMA and HEMA exhibit increased modulus, reduced adhesion, and gradually improved high- and low-temperature performance, except for the non-significant high-temperature enhancement of HEMA at higher loadings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Enabled Materials for Circular and Sustainable Pavements)

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27 pages, 2586 KB

Open AccessReview

Agricultural By-Products, Biowastes, and Other Biogenic Materials as Bio-Rejuvenators for Aged Bituminous Binders: Mechanisms, Performance, and Challenges

by Gholam Hossein Hamedi, Ozgur Ozcan, Sedat Ozcanan and Abdulgazi Gedik

Polymers 2026, 18(14), 1752; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18141752 - 17 Jul 2026

Viewed by 606

Abstract

Asphalt binders become stiffer and more brittle during aging, increasing their susceptibility to fatigue and thermal cracking. Rejuvenation is therefore a key strategy for restoring aged bitumen and enabling the effective use of reclaimed asphalt materials. This review examines agricultural by-products, biowastes, and other biogenic materials as bio-rejuvenators for aged bituminous binders. The reviewed materials are classified according to their source, processing route, functional role, chemical characteristics, rejuvenation mechanism, performance effects, and practical limitations. The main groups include waste cooking oils, virgin vegetable oils, reactive bio-oils, biomass-derived bio-oils, agricultural and forestry residues, tree-resin-derived products, animal-based rejuvenators, and other organic waste-derived materials. The literature indicates that these materials can restore aged bitumen through light fraction replenishment, colloidal rebalancing, diffusion, asphaltene deagglomeration, chemical interaction, and anti-aging effects. Waste cooking oils and agricultural/forestry residue-derived rejuvenators provide particularly strong recovery of conventional binder properties, whereas reactive bio-oils and tree-resin-derived systems offer a more balanced rheological response and cracking–rutting balance. However, their effectiveness strongly depends on dosage, feedstock variability, binder compatibility, processing route, and aging condition. Overall, bio-rejuvenators offer a promising pathway for sustainable asphalt recycling, but their practical implementation requires standardized dosage selection methods, long-term aging assessment, mixture- and field-scale validation, and life-cycle evaluation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Enabled Materials for Circular and Sustainable Pavements)

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