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New Progress of Green Sustainable Polymer Materials
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New Progress of Green Sustainable Polymer Materials

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 1492

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Eri Yoshida

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Toyohashi University of Technology, 1-1 Hibarigaoka, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi 441-8580, Aichi, Japan
Interests: CO2 capture and utilization technologies; chemical recycling of plastic waste; giant polymer vesicles as biomembrane models; nitroxide-mediated photo-controlled/living radical polymerization; supercritical CO2 systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer materials have been supporting a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, driving our cultural and industrial development. On the other hand, these materials have also negatively impacted global environments, including fossil fuel depletion for plastics production, increased CO2 emissions during their incineration, pollution from plastic waste, and ecosystem disruption from their decomposition by-products. Designing polymer materials to address these problems while considering the end-of-life stage of plastics is critical in achieving sustainable development.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions across all aspects of sustainable development based on polymer materials, including their design, synthesis, processing, applications, characterizations, and simulations. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following: CO2 capture, storage, and utilization; recycling and upcycling of plastic waste; resource recovery; biodegradation; photodegradation; catalytic energy generation; water purification; hazardous chemical elimination; and other environmentally friendly reactions and processes. This Special Issue accepts original research papers, review articles, short communications, and perspectives. Papers featuring unconventional concepts or advancements in these fields are particularly encouraged.

Dr. Eri Yoshida
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 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

  • sustainable polymer materials
  • CO2 capture and utilization
  • plastic recycling and upcycling
  • biodegradable polymer systems
  • photodegradable polymer technologies
  • polymer-based catalysts
  • advanced water purification systems
  • hazardous chemical remediation
  • green polymer chemistry
  • eco-friendly materials and processes

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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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12 pages, 2992 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Xylan/PVA Composite Films via Nano-ZnO Reinforcement for Sustainable Food Packaging
by Lin Yao, Hui Sun, Chang Yu and Yunxuan Weng
Polymers 2025, 17(8), 1080; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17081080 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 306
Abstract
The development of biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based packaging is essential for environmental sustainability. This study presents a novel approach to enhance the performance of hemicellulose-based films by fabricating xylan/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites reinforced with zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO). To address nano-ZnO agglomeration, sodium [...] Read more.
The development of biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based packaging is essential for environmental sustainability. This study presents a novel approach to enhance the performance of hemicellulose-based films by fabricating xylan/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites reinforced with zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO). To address nano-ZnO agglomeration, sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) was utilized as a dispersant, while sorbitol improved film flexibility. The composite films were prepared via solution casting, and the effects of nano-ZnO content (0–2.5 wt%) on mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties were systematically evaluated. Results showed that at 2 wt% nano-ZnO loading, the tensile strength increased from 15.0 MPa (control) to 26.15 MPa, representing a 74% enhancement, while oxygen permeability decreased from 1.83 to 0.50 (cm3·μm)/(m2·d·kPa). Additionally, the thermal stability also improved due to hydrogen bonding and uniform nanoparticle dispersion. At this optimized loading, the hydrophobcity was also maximized, with the contact angle peaking at 74.4° and water vapor permeability decreasing by 18% (1.53·10−6·g·h−1·m−1·Pa−1). Excessive nano-ZnO loading (>2 wt%) induced particle agglomeration, generating stress concentrators that disrupted the polymer–nanoparticle interface and compromised mechanical integrity. These findings highlight the potential of nano-ZnO-modified xylan/PVA films as sustainable, high-performance alternatives to conventional packaging. The synergistic use of SHMP and nano-ZnO provides a strategy for designing eco-friendly materials with tunable properties, advancing the use of biomass in food preservation applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress of Green Sustainable Polymer Materials)
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Review

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34 pages, 9914 KiB  
Review
Toward Sustainable Polyurethane Alternatives: A Review of the Synthesis, Applications, and Lifecycle of Non-Isocyanate Polyurethanes (NIPUs)
by Evangelia Balla, Dimitrios N. Bikiaris, Nikolaos Pardalis and Nikolaos D. Bikiaris
Polymers 2025, 17(10), 1364; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17101364 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 198
Abstract
In recent decades, scientific interest has increasingly focused on sustainable and green polymers. Within this context, considerable efforts have been devoted to the synthesis and exploration of eco-friendly non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) as alternatives to conventional polyurethanes (PUs), solving the problem of isocyanate toxicity [...] Read more.
In recent decades, scientific interest has increasingly focused on sustainable and green polymers. Within this context, considerable efforts have been devoted to the synthesis and exploration of eco-friendly non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) as alternatives to conventional polyurethanes (PUs), solving the problem of isocyanate toxicity and other environmental problems that existed. This review article highlights the synthetic pathways of NIPUs and identifies the potential hazards associated with their production and end-of-life (EoL) stages. While in the literature there are several reviews regarding the synthesis of NIPUs, the current work distinguishes itself by providing a comprehensive summary of the latest research on NIPUs, with a particular focus on their lifecycle management, recyclability, and the challenges that hinder their scalability for industrial-level production. Advances in NIPU synthesis have made them strong candidates for a diverse range of applications. This review underscores the most notable examples of these advancements, emphasizing their potential to drive sustainable polymer development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress of Green Sustainable Polymer Materials)
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26 pages, 5488 KiB  
Review
Advancements in Cellulose-Based Materials for CO2 Capture and Conversion
by Niranjan Patra, Prathipati Ramesh and Ștefan Țălu
Polymers 2025, 17(7), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070848 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 758
Abstract
This study explores the recent advances of cellulose-based materials in the context of carbon capture and conversion amid the global imperative to reduce CO2emissions. The review emphasizes the critical importance of selecting suitable materials for establishing a robust and secure carbon [...] Read more.
This study explores the recent advances of cellulose-based materials in the context of carbon capture and conversion amid the global imperative to reduce CO2emissions. The review emphasizes the critical importance of selecting suitable materials for establishing a robust and secure carbon capture technology. From elucidating celluloses’ molecular structure and unique properties to detailing the advancements in CO2 capture technologies, the narrative provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between cellulose and sustainable CO2 management. The exploration extends to the design and synthesis of cellulose-based adsorbents, challenges in implementation, showcasing emerging trends and potential breakthroughs. Emphasizing the significance of cellulose in the circular carbon economy, this review serves as a beacon for interdisciplinary collaboration, urging further research and implementation for a greener and more sustainable future. A comprehensive overview of recent developments on cellulose-based aerogels, films, composites, and solid adsorbents in the field of carbon capture. It further elucidates the research mechanisms involved in utilizing cellulose-based materials to convert CO2 into formic acid, methanol, carbonate, and CO, offering detailed insights. The review concludes by addressing the challenges and key issues associated with cellulose-based materials in the context of carbon capture and utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress of Green Sustainable Polymer Materials)
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