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Polymers
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Advances in Biodegradable Polyester-Based Materials
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Advances in Biodegradable Polyester-Based Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2026) | Viewed by 2370

Special Issue Editors

Dr. José Miguel Ferri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University Institute of Materials Technology (IUTM), Universitat Politècnica de València, Plaza Ferrandiz y Carbonell s/n, Alcoy, Spain
Interests: cellular materials; biodegradable polymers; recycling; natural additives; biocomposites; polymer compatibilization; polymer rheology; surface modification fillers; thermal and mechanical properties; selective dissolution; bioresorbable materials; foaming processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Vicent Fombuena Borràs

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University Institute of Materials Technology (IUTM), Universitat Politècnica de València, Plaza Ferrandiz y Carbonell s/n, Alcoy, Spain
Interests: mechanical properties; polymers; composites; surface modification; biodegradable and biocompatible polymers; atmospheric plasma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. María Fernanda López Pérez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Institute for Industrial, Radiophysical and Environmental Safety (ISIRYM), Universitat Politècnica de València, Plaza Ferrandiz y Carbonell s/n, Alcoy, Spain
Interests: biopolymers; biomass revalorization; PHA and PHB production; chemical recycling; biodegradable polymers; natural additives; polymer rheology; surface modification fillers; polymer membranes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It has been continuously proven that biodegradable polymers have a considerably lower environmental impact, though they are consumed nowhere near as much as conventional polymers. Only greater efforts to improve the performance and prices of new biodegradable materials will be the solution to achieving greater applicability of these materials.

This Special Issue of Polymers invites contributions that address advances in research related to the synthesis of new polyester-type biodegradable polymers, new biodegradable polymer blends, and, in particular, studies of their compatibility through the incorporation of additives, reactive extrusion, and copolymerization and the influence of these strategies on their chemical, thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties. In addition, papers on polymers that are biocompatible with the human body and whose applications improve the quality of life of people with illnesses or trauma are also welcome to be submitted.

Dr. José Miguel Ferri
Prof. Dr. Vicent Fombuena Borràs
Prof. Dr. María Fernanda López Pérez
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-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

  • biodegradable polymers
  • biocompatible polymers
  • compatibility
  • blends
  • disintegration
  • polymer miscibility
  • biodegradable polyesters

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3001 KB  
Article
Enhancing Biodegradability of Poly(L-Lactic Acid) via Incorporation of Thermoplastic Chitosan
by Yodthong Baimark, Prasong Srihanam and Yaowalak Srisuwan
Polymers 2026, 18(11), 1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18111404 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026
Abstract
Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a biodegradable polyester that has garnered widespread attention for its potential applications as a replacement for conventional petroleum-based plastics. However, PLLA’s prolonged biodegradation is a significant limitation in its applications, particularly in single-use packaging, as it can lead to [...] Read more.
Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a biodegradable polyester that has garnered widespread attention for its potential applications as a replacement for conventional petroleum-based plastics. However, PLLA’s prolonged biodegradation is a significant limitation in its applications, particularly in single-use packaging, as it can lead to environmental accumulation and hinder the sustainability goals of reducing plastic waste. This paper examines the effect of incorporating thermoplastic chitosan (TPC) on the mechanical and biodegradation properties of PLLA. TPC was prepared using lactic acid as a plasticizer. PLLA/TPC composites were produced by thermo-mechanical processes. TPC contents of 1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% were investigated. The PLLA/TPC films exhibited distinct phase separation, as verified by scanning electron microscopy analysis. The incorporation of 2.5% TPC led to a 20.8% enhancement in elongation at break and a 7.4% improvement in tensile toughness relative to pure PLLA film. Nonetheless, both values diminished when the TPC content surpassed 2.5 wt%. The surface wettability of the PLLA/TPC films, assessed via water contact angle measurements and weight loss from soil burial tests, enhanced with greater TPC content. The PLLA/TPC films showed significantly greater weight loss after being buried in soil for 12 months compared to pure PLLA film. The increases in weight loss were 4, 11, 14, and 72 times greater for the TPC contents of 1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. Incorporating TPC in this study improved the flexibility and biodegradability of PLLA, leading to PLLA-based composites with enhanced potential for environmentally sustainable single-use packaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biodegradable Polyester-Based Materials)
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22 pages, 2998 KB  
Article
Oxidation Strength of PLA Filled with Algal Biomass and Rosemary Extract Powders for Food-Safe Handling
by Traian Zaharescu, Marius Bumbac, Cristina Mihaela Nicolescu, Aurora Craciun and Radu Mirea
Polymers 2026, 18(4), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18040504 - 18 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is widely used in food-contact applications due to its bio-based origin, compostability, and transparency; however, its limited resistance to thermo-oxidative degradation remains a challenge for applications involving repeated thermal exposure. The moderate but repetitive heating conditions commonly encountered during food [...] Read more.
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is widely used in food-contact applications due to its bio-based origin, compostability, and transparency; however, its limited resistance to thermo-oxidative degradation remains a challenge for applications involving repeated thermal exposure. The moderate but repetitive heating conditions commonly encountered during food use and pre-recycling stages were analyzed for the samples filled with algal biomass and rosemary extract, additives accepted for use in the food industry. In this context, the present study introduces a comparative and application-driven approach by evaluating the effect of food-grade fillers—rosemary extract, spirulina biomass, and kelp biomass—incorporated at low loadings (0.5–3 wt%) on the thermal and oxidative behavior of PLA subjected to repeated heating at 80 °C. The presented results show algal biomasses as multifunctional fillers and benchmark their performance against a well-established natural extract. By combining DSC, FTIR, and chemiluminescence analyses, the study aims to clarify whether such bio-fillers act as stabilizing or destabilizing factors under realistic service-life thermal stress. This strategy provides insight into the suitability of algae-based fillers for food-contact PLA materials from both performance and recyclability perspectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biodegradable Polyester-Based Materials)
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Review

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27 pages, 1289 KB  
Review
Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid)-Based Systems in Implantology: Advances in Biomaterial Design, Drug Delivery, and Tissue Regeneration
by Bogdan Alexandru Popescu, Ionela Belu, Andreea Gabriela Mocanu, Maria Viorica Ciocîlteu, Daniela Calina, Costel Valentin Manda, Johny Neamțu, Oana Elena Nicolaescu, Andreea-Cristina Stoian and Andreea Silvia Pîrvu
Polymers 2026, 18(9), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18091113 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most extensively investigated biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications, owing to its tunable degradation kinetics, established biocompatibility, and regulatory approval. In implantology, PLGA-based systems have emerged as versatile platforms for scaffolds, coatings, and localized drug delivery, aimed [...] Read more.
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most extensively investigated biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications, owing to its tunable degradation kinetics, established biocompatibility, and regulatory approval. In implantology, PLGA-based systems have emerged as versatile platforms for scaffolds, coatings, and localized drug delivery, aimed at enhancing osseointegration and tissue regeneration. This review provides a focused and up-to-date analysis of PLGA applications in dental and orthopedic implantology, with particular emphasis on advances reported over the past decade. Unlike previous reviews that predominantly address general drug delivery or broad tissue engineering applications, this work establishes a direct correlation between polymer composition (LA:GA ratio), processing strategies, and biological outcomes, including degradation behavior, mechanical performance, and host response. Special attention is given to multifunctional PLGA systems incorporating antibiotics, growth factors, and bioactive nanoparticles, highlighting their role in improving antibacterial efficacy and osteogenesis. Emerging technologies such as nanostructured composites, additive manufacturing, and stimuli-responsive delivery platforms are critically evaluated. Key limitations—including acidic degradation by-products, burst release kinetics, and translational barriers—are discussed in the context of clinical applicability. By integrating physicochemical design with biological performance and recent clinical trends (2024–2025), this review proposes a framework for the rational development of next-generation PLGA-based implant systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biodegradable Polyester-Based Materials)
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