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Polymers
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Modification of Natural Biodegradable Polymers
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Modification of Natural Biodegradable Polymers

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 2026 | Viewed by 2319

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Magdalena Stepczyńska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials Engineering, Kazimierz Wielki University, Chodkiewicza 30, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: biodegradable polymers; antimicrobial materials; biodegradable packaging; biocomposites; modification of biodegradable materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Polymers titled "Modification of Natural Biodegradable Polymers".

The rapid development of specialized applications for polymeric materials in various technological sectors and other aspects of life demands increasingly higher qualitative standards. The widespread use of these materials has led to a significant burden on the natural environment, primarily due to the growing amount of plastic waste. Therefore, it is essential to promote the mass-scale application of biodegradable polymers. This Special Issue aims to gather research from experts worldwide to explore the crucial role of biodegradable polymers in addressing plastic pollution.

This Special Issue aims to focus on progress in the field of natural biodegradable polymers. It covers the following topics: (1) methods for the preparation of biodegradable polymers; (2) research on biodegradable polymers of natural and synthetic origin; (3) research on biocomposites and composite materials; (4) the properties and characterization of biodegradable polymers; (5) applications of biodegradable polymers in various fields; (6) modification of biodegradable materials; and (7) research on life cycle assessments and the analysis of degradation products.

Prof. Dr. Magdalena Stepczyńska
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.

Keywords

  • natural biodegradable polymers
  • biodegradable polymer applications
  • renewable resources
  • biomaterials
  • biopolymers
  • biodegradable polymer characterization
  • degradation
  • biodegradable packaging
  • sustainable materials

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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18 pages, 2523 KB  
Article
Antibacterial and Hydrophobic PLA Biocomposites Enabled by Geraniol-Modified Flax Fibres
by Alona Pawłowska, Magdalena Stepczyńska, Volodymyr Krasinskyi and Joanna Pach
Polymers 2026, 18(2), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18020183 - 9 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 707
Abstract
In the medical industry, strong disinfectants are used to limit bacterial proliferation on the surface of polymer-based materials; however, they may leave hazardous residues. To prevent potential harm to human health, safer disinfection substitutes are continuously searched. This study evaluates the effect of [...] Read more.
In the medical industry, strong disinfectants are used to limit bacterial proliferation on the surface of polymer-based materials; however, they may leave hazardous residues. To prevent potential harm to human health, safer disinfection substitutes are continuously searched. This study evaluates the effect of a natural biocidal modifier, geraniol (GR), on the properties of flax-reinforced biocomposites. Biocomposites containing 80 wt% polylactide (PLA) and 20 wt% flax fibres were prepared, and fibres were modified with 1%, 5%, 10%, or 20% GR. The materials were examined using tensile tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and antibacterial activity tests. The incorporation of flax fibres increased the storage modulus from 2730 MPa (PLA) to 3447 MPa, while GR-modified fibres further enhanced stiffness up to 3769 MPa for the 20% GR sample. Strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was achieved in biocomposites containing ≥10% GR, with R = 5 and R ≥ 6, respectively. Surface hydrophobicity also improved progressively, and a water contact angle of 92° was obtained at 20% GR. These results demonstrate that geraniol-modified flax fibres effectively impart antibacterial activity and hydrophobicity to PLA biocomposites, indicating their potential for use in sustainable packaging applications and materials for the medical sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modification of Natural Biodegradable Polymers)
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Review

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31 pages, 2314 KB  
Review
Recent Trends in the Chemical Modification of Polysaccharides for Food Packaging: A Review
by Paramabhorn Tosuwan, Hannah S. Leese and Christopher J. Chuck
Polymers 2026, 18(4), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18040529 - 21 Feb 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1221
Abstract
The environmental impact of petroplastics that do not readily biodegrade has intensified the search for sustainable packaging materials. Polysaccharides derived from plant and marine sources are biodegradable and renewable, but their hydrophilicity and weak mechanical and barrier properties limit their use in high-performance [...] Read more.
The environmental impact of petroplastics that do not readily biodegrade has intensified the search for sustainable packaging materials. Polysaccharides derived from plant and marine sources are biodegradable and renewable, but their hydrophilicity and weak mechanical and barrier properties limit their use in high-performance packaging. Chemical modification offers an effective solution by introducing hydrophobic or functional groups that enhance physicochemical performance, making modified polysaccharides strong candidates for sustainable packaging applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the chemical modification and development of plant-based polysaccharides (starch, cellulose and its derivatives, and pectin) and marine-based polysaccharides (agar, carrageenan, alginate, and chitosan) for food packaging applications. Emphasis on how chemical modifications influence key functional properties relevant to sustainable packaging, including barrier performance, biological activities, and freshness-monitoring capabilities. Film fabrication techniques such as solution casting, extrusion, coating, and electrospraying are also discussed regarding their impact on material performance. Overall, the reviewed studies demonstrate that chemical modification can substantially enhance the functional properties of polysaccharides and enable active and intelligent packaging functionalities. While challenges related to food safety, scalable production, environmental impact, and real-world performance remain, chemically modified polysaccharides show strong potential as sustainable and functional materials for the next generation of food packaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modification of Natural Biodegradable Polymers)
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