Advanced Design and Functionalization Strategies for Carbon-Based Polymer Composites
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 March 2026 | Viewed by 9
Special Issue Editors
Interests: free radical polymerization; RAFT polymerization; atrp; organic synthesis; small molecule synthesis; functional monomers; nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR); Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); gel permeation chromatography (GPC); dynamic light
Interests: polymer composites; polymer nanocomposites; carbon fiber-reinforced plastics; carbon nanotubes; carbon fibers
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Since Iijima’s discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, as well as the pioneering report relating to polymer/CNT nanocomposites by Ajayan et al. in 1994, carbon-based composites have continued to attract wide interest due to their exceptional mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. As a matter of fact, polymer composites reinforced with carbon-based nanomaterials have emerged as a rapidly developing field, combining the versatility of polymers with the exceptional properties of carbon allotropes. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and related nanostructures provide remarkable mechanical strength, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity, enabling the design of advanced multifunctional materials. Their integration into polymer matrices creates opportunities for applications ranging from structural reinforcement and lightweight engineering to flexible electronics, sensors, energy storage, and biomedical devices.
The effective utilization of carbon-based materials in polymers, remains highly dependent on achieving uniform dispersion and strong interfacial interactions within the matrix. To address these challenges, researchers have developed a variety of design and functionalization strategies, ranging from physical and chemical surface treatments to advanced processing technologies—all of them play a crucial role in optimizing composite performance. Advanced characterization techniques, including spectroscopy, scattering, and rheology, provide further critical insights into composite behavior and guide material design. Nevertheless, further progress is required to overcome issues relating to scalability, property optimization, and commercialization.
Compared with other nanofillers such as clays and metal oxides, the commercial adoption of polymer/carbon-based nanocomposites remains limited. To close this gap, innovative approaches are needed to improve dispersion, tailor interfacial interactions, and develop scalable manufacturing methods. At the same time, understanding novel mechanisms of reinforcement, conductivity, and multifunctionality will accelerate the transition of CNT composites from laboratory research to practical applications.
In this sense, this Special Issue, entitled “Advanced Design and Functionalization Strategies for Carbon-Based Polymer Composites”, invites contributions that address the latest developments in the design, fabrication, and application of polymer composites with carbon nanotubes, graphene, and related carbon nanostructures, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Advanced dispersion techniques and functionalization strategies for polymer composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes, graphene, and related carbon nanostructures.
- Novel and scalable processing methods for polymer composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes, graphene, and related carbon nanostructures.
- Mechanical property improvements, including modulus, strength, and fracture toughness in polymer nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes, graphene, and related carbon nanostructures.
- Enhanced electrical and thermal conductivities.
- Synergistic effects of CNTs with other reinforcing agents.
Dr. Mateusz Olszewski
Dr. Hengxi Chen
Guest Editors
Dr. Lorenzo De Noni
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 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
- carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and carbon nanostructures
- design and functionalization of polymer/CNT nanocomposites
- electrical and thermal properties
- mechanical reinforcement mechanisms
- dispersion and interfacial engineering
- multifunctional and synergistic effects
- advanced composites characterization
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