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Advanced Polymer-Based Materials for Membrane Technology

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Membranes and Films".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2026) | Viewed by 470

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Biophisyc and Bimedical Ingenering, Bulgarian Academi of Sciencelease, Acad Georgi Bonchev 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: synthase and physicochemical properties of chitosan; natural and artificial polymers and their interaction with cells; natural and synthetic polymers (e.g., pdms); pvp and its composites

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Guest Editor
Department of Silicate Technology, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: biopolymer; coating; biological activity; cytotoxicity; graphene; nanocomposites; pro- and antioxidant effects; bactericidal effect; collagen; environment; high-temperature ceramic superconductors; magnetic materials; sinterica-substitution; microstructure; morphology; rebco superconducting ceramics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The upcoming Special Issue of Polymers, titled "Advanced Polymer-Based Materials for Membrane Technology," presents the latest advancements in polymer-based membranes. With growing global demand for efficient separation processes—ranging from water purification and gas separation to energy and biomedical applications—this Special Issue brings together multidisciplinary research driving material science forward. Focus is placed on both natural and synthetic polymers, polymer composites, and the synthesis of new materials with enhanced biocompatibility and functionality.

The Special Issue highlights innovative structures such as block copolymers, composite and functionalized membranes, as well as modern fabrication techniques like phase inversion, electrospinning, and 3D printing. Electrospinning is specifically addressed as a surface engineering method with significant potential in biomedical applications. The scope includes applications in sensors, biomedical implants, and drug delivery systems. Particular attention is given to polymers such as PDMS, PVP, PLL, PAA, and others, known for their biocompatibility, flexibility, and controllable permeability. This Special Issue aims to promote scientific and technological progress through collaboration between academia and industry and to accelerate the practical implementation of polymer membranes in real-world applications.

Dr. Aneliya Kostadinova
Dr. Anna Staneva
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

  • synthase and physicochemical properties of chitosan
  • natural and artificial polymers
  • elastomers composites and their interaction with cells
  • natural and synthetic polymers (e.g., PDMS)
  • PVP and its composites

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 3222 KB  
Article
Engineering Antifouling Polysulfone Membranes Enhanced with Hydroxylated Amino-Functionalized TiO2 Nanotubes for Superior Water Filtration
by Ibrahim Hotan Alsohaimi, Mosaed S. Alhumaimess, Abdulelah Nashmi Alrashidi, Hassan Alwael, Meshal Alzaid, Mohamed R. El-Aassar, Ahmed A. Alshahrani, Hamud A. Altaleb and Hassan M. A. Hassan
Polymers 2026, 18(9), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18091096 - 30 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Developing membranes with superior antifouling properties is crucial for efficient and sustainable water treatment. In this study, polysulfone (PSM) composite membranes were fabricated by incorporating hydroxylated titanium nanotubes (TNT@OH) via the non-solvent-induced phase separation method. The hydroxylation of TNTs enhanced their dispersion in [...] Read more.
Developing membranes with superior antifouling properties is crucial for efficient and sustainable water treatment. In this study, polysulfone (PSM) composite membranes were fabricated by incorporating hydroxylated titanium nanotubes (TNT@OH) via the non-solvent-induced phase separation method. The hydroxylation of TNTs enhanced their dispersion in the polymer matrix and promoted strong polymer–nanoparticle interactions. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, XRD, TGA, FESEM, and AFM confirmed the successful integration of TNT@OH, resulting in membranes with improved hydrophilicity, porosity, and thermal stability. The contact angle decreased from ~88° for neat PSM to ~50° at 7 wt% TNT@OH, while surface free energy increased significantly. Mechanical strength and flexibility were also enhanced at optimal TNT@OH loadings (3–5 wt%), owing to uniform dispersion and strong interfacial bonding. Filtration experiments using humic acid (HA) and natural organic matter (NOM) demonstrated remarkable improvements in water flux, rejection efficiency, and fouling resistance. The composite membranes achieved HA rejection rates of up to 98%, with reduced irreversible fouling and higher flux recovery ratios across multiple filtration–cleaning cycles. The proposed antifouling mechanism is attributed to the formation of a stable hydration layer by surface hydroxyl groups, which prevents foulant adhesion and facilitates cleaning. These findings suggest that incorporating TNT@OH into polysulfone membranes is a promising approach for developing high-performance ultrafiltration membranes with enhanced permeability, mechanical robustness, and long-term antifouling stability, thereby making them suitable for advanced water purification applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer-Based Materials for Membrane Technology)
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