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Polymers
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Advances in Biopolymer Materials: Properties, Processing, and Applications
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Advances in Biopolymer Materials: Properties, Processing, and Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 2587

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Leonie Asfora Sarubbo

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. UNICAP Icam Tech School, Catholic University of Pernambuco (UNICAP), Rua do Príncipe, 526, Recife 50050-900, PE, Brazil
2. Advanced Institute of Technology and Innovation (IATI), Rua Potyra, 31, Recife 50751-310, PE, Brazil
Interests: green chemical products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Andréa Fernanda de Santana Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Design and Communication Center, Agreste Academic Center, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Marielle Franco, s/n-Nova Caruaru, Caruaru 50670-900, Brazil
Interests: cellulose; bacterial cellulose; design; fashion; industrial waste; requalification of textile waste; life cycle; nanomaterial; magnetic bacterial cellulose; apparel; eco friendly material
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Julia Didier Pedrosa de Amorim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials and Science and Engineering, University of Washington (UW), 2110 Mason Road, Roberts Hall 302, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Interests: bacterial cellulose; cellulose; green composites; biomedical; cosmetics; thin films; wound dressing; materials science; microbiology
Dr. Cláudio José Galdino da Silva Júnior

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Advanced Institute of Technology and Innovation (IATI), Rua Potyra, 31, Recife 50751-310, PE, Brazil
Interests: bacterial cellulose; cellulose; nanocellulose; emulsions; water treatment; oil–water separation; textile materials; natural dyes; fashion; fabric; sustainability; packaging; industrial waste
Dr. Alexandre D'Lamare Maia de Medeiros

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Guest Editor
Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n-Dois Irmãos, Recife 52171-900, PE, Brazil
Interests: bacterial cellulose; cellulose; emulsions; water treatment; biofilter; water management.

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This journal Special Issue focuses on the growing role of biopolymers as sustainable and innovative materials. Biopolymers, sourced from renewable resources such as plants and microorganisms, are increasingly recognized for their biodegradability and potential to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics. These materials can be synthesized through processes like fermentation or extracted directly from biomass. Examples include starch, dextran, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), chitosan, and bacterial cellulose (BC), each offering unique properties for diverse applications. Despite their promise, challenges remain in enhancing their mechanical and thermal properties to meet industrial demands. Biopolymers are finding applications in areas such as sustainable packaging, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and the automotive industry. With increasing global interest in sustainable solutions, biopolymers are a key material driving technological advancement while supporting environmental preservation. Research into their properties and processing is vital for expanding their industrial applications and market potential. This issue invites contributions that explore advancements in biopolymer development, functionalization, and their role in driving sustainable innovation.

Dr. Leonie Asfora Sarubbo
Prof. Dr. Andréa Fernanda de Santana Costa
Dr. Julia Didier Pedrosa de Amorim
Dr. Cláudio José Galdino da Silva Júnior
Dr. Alexandre D'Lamare Maia de Medeiros
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

  • polymer nanocomposites
  • nanomaterials
  • membranes
  • films
  • nanocrystals
  • hydrogel
  • properties
  • waste products
  • low-cost substrates
  • packaging
  • biomedical applications
  • fabric
  • water treatment
  • oil/water separation
  • electrical conductivity
  • alternative leather
  • wound dressing
  • eco-friendly material
  • magnetic bacterial cellulose
  • requalification of textile waste
  • sustainability

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 6049 KiB  
Article
Effect of Coffee Grounds Content on Properties of PHBV Biocomposites Compared to Similar Composites with Other Fillers
by Grzegorz Janowski, Wiesław Frącz, Łukasz Bąk, Janusz W. Sikora, Adam Tomczyk, Grażyna Mrówka-Nowotnik and Beata Mossety-Leszczak
Polymers 2025, 17(6), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17060764 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 558
Abstract
Spent coffee grounds (SCG) have potential as a sustainable bio-filler in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) composites, offering an environmentally friendly approach to waste utilization. This study investigated the effect of SCG content on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of PHBV biocomposites and compared them [...] Read more.
Spent coffee grounds (SCG) have potential as a sustainable bio-filler in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) composites, offering an environmentally friendly approach to waste utilization. This study investigated the effect of SCG content on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of PHBV biocomposites and compared them with those of composites containing wood flour and hemp fibers. The biocomposites were fabricated via extrusion and injection molding, followed by the characterization of their mechanical performance, thermal behavior, and microstructure. The results indicated that SCG increased the stiffness of PHBV but did not enhance its tensile strength due to the weak interfacial adhesion between the filler and matrix. Unlike other lignocellulosic fillers, SCG requires lower processing temperatures, which is advantageous for thermally sensitive applications. SEM analysis revealed well-dispersed SCG particles at low concentrations, but visible aggregation and interfacial voids at higher loadings. While SCG serves as an effective and cost-efficient filler for improving the stiffness of PHBV, it does not reinforce the material in the conventional sense. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biopolymer Materials: Properties, Processing, and Applications)
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19 pages, 3883 KiB  
Article
Impact of Carbon Source on Bacterial Cellulose Network Architecture and Prolonged Lidocaine Release
by Julia Amorim, Kuotian Liao, Aban Mandal, Andréa Fernanda de Santana Costa, Eleftheria Roumeli and Leonie Asfora Sarubbo
Polymers 2024, 16(21), 3021; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16213021 - 28 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1634
Abstract
The biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose (BC) is significantly influenced by the type of carbon source available in the growth medium, which in turn dictates the material’s final properties. This study systematically investigates the effects of five carbon sources—raffinose (C18H32O [...] Read more.
The biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose (BC) is significantly influenced by the type of carbon source available in the growth medium, which in turn dictates the material’s final properties. This study systematically investigates the effects of five carbon sources—raffinose (C18H32O16), sucrose (C12H22O11), glucose (C6H12O6), arabinose (C5H10O5), and glycerol (C3H8O3)—on BC production by Komagataeibacter hansenii. The varying molecular weights and structural characteristics of these carbon sources provide a framework for examining their influence on BC yield, fiber morphology, and network properties. BC production was monitored through daily measurements of optical density and pH levels in the fermentation media from day 1 to day 14, providing valuable insights into bacterial growth kinetics and cellulose synthesis rates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to elucidate fibril diameter and pore size distribution. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) provided a detailed assessment of crystallinity. Selected BC pellicles were further processed via freeze-drying to produce a foam-like material that maximally preserves the natural three-dimensional structure of BC, facilitating the incorporation and release of lidocaine hydrochloride (5%), a widely used local anesthetic. The lidocaine-loaded BC foams exhibited a sustained and controlled release profile over 14 days in simulated body fluid, highlighting the importance of the role of carbon source selection in shaping the BC network architecture and its impact on drug release profile. These results highlight the versatility and sustainability of BC as a platform for wound healing and drug delivery applications. The tunable properties of BC networks provide opportunities for optimizing therapeutic delivery and improving wound care outcomes, positioning BC as an effective material for enhanced wound management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biopolymer Materials: Properties, Processing, and Applications)
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