Advances in Polymer/Carbon Composite Materials: Preparation and Application

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs)—such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds, and carbon nanofibers—into polymer matrices has enabled high-performance multifunctional composites. However, achieving optimized, tailored performance requires precise interfacial engineering, often through chemical functionalization of the carbon filler surface, to enhance compatibility, dispersion, and stress/charge transfer within the polymer.

This Special Issue focuses on advanced functionalized carbon/polymer composites designed for multifunctional performance and specific application-driven properties. We seek contributions that go beyond conventional composite studies by emphasizing surface-engineered carbon nanomaterials and their role in enabling synergistic properties—such as combined mechanical robustness, electrical/thermal conductivity, sensing capability, or stimuli-responsiveness—in polymer systems. Studies that link tailored filler functionalization, sustainable or scalable processing methods, and controlled structure–property relationships to address durability, efficiency, or performance needs in targeted technological fields are of particular interest.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Surface engineering and covalent/non-covalent functionalization of carbon nanomaterials for improved polymer compatibility and interfacial design.

- Multifunctional composite systems with two or more coupled properties (e.g., conductive and self-healing, strong and flame-retardant, sensing and load-bearing systems).

- Durability, aging, and reliability studies of carbon/polymer composites under operational conditions.

- Scalable, sustainable, or industrially relevant manufacturing processes (e.g., melt processing, 3D printing, roll-to-roll) for functional carbon/polymer composites.

- Advanced characterization and in situ monitoring of interfacial bonding, dispersion, and degradation mechanisms.

- Computational and multiscale modeling of functionalized filler–polymer interactions and composite performance prediction.

- Application-targeted designs in areas such as the following:

  - Structural health monitoring and flexible electronics;

  - Lightweight and high-strength components for automotive/aerospace;

  - Energy storage devices (e.g., batteries and supercapacitors);

  - Smart packaging and flame-retardant materials;

  - Biomedical devices and biosensors.

We welcome the submission of original research and review articles that highlight novel strategies for filler design, processing, and performance validation, contributing to the next generation of intelligent, efficient, and application-ready carbon/polymer composites.

Dr. Marianna V. Kharlamova
Guest Editor

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.