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Polymers
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Biodegradable Polymers for Sustainable Solutions: Innovations and Applications
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Biodegradable Polymers for Sustainable Solutions: Innovations and Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 16939

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rashid Dallaev

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Technická 2848/8, 61600 Brno, Czech Republic
Interests: polymer science; surface analysis techniques; thin-film deposition; chemical composition analysis
Dr. Nikola Papež

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Technická 2848/8, 61600 Brno, Czech Republic
Interests: biocompatibility; electrospinning; energy harvesting; filtration; polymer modifications; synthetic polymers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing environmental concerns associated with plastic pollution and resource depletion have driven a surge in research on biodegradable polymers. These materials offer a promising alternative to conventional plastics by combining performance with environmental responsibility. This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of biodegradable polymers aimed at sustainable solutions across various sectors, including packaging, agriculture, biomedicine, and consumer products. The topics of interest include the following: the development of novel polymer architectures, bio-based feedstocks, degradation mechanisms, life-cycle assessments, and innovative processing technologies. Emphasis is also placed on interdisciplinary approaches that integrate materials science, chemistry, biotechnology, and engineering to overcome current limitations and scale up viable alternatives.

By showcasing state-of-the-art research and emerging trends, this Special Issue seeks to foster dialogue within the scientific community and catalyze further innovation in creating polymers that meet both performance and environmental criteria. As global efforts toward a circular economy accelerate, biodegradable polymers will play an increasingly vital role in shaping a more sustainable future.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Rashid Dallaev
Dr. Nikola Papež
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
  • sustainable materials
  • bio-based plastics
  • green chemistry
  • polymer degradation
  • environmental sustainability
  • circular economy
  • eco-friendly materials
  • biopolymer applications
  • renewable resources

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2642 KB  
Article
Pseudomonas aeruginosa SG01: A Novel Polyethylene-Degrading Bacterium in Petrochemical Wastewater
by Xiaohan Dou, Zhiqing Zhang, Fengyuan Zhang, Xi Yan, Yan Xie, Jingru Liu and Shucai Zhang
Polymers 2026, 18(4), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18040519 - 20 Feb 2026
Viewed by 574
Abstract
Microbial degradation technology presents a sustainable approach to address the environmental persistence of polyethylene (PE). In this study, a consortium of PE-degrading strains was isolated from sludge in the production wastewater of a PE-manufacturing plant. Among these strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa SG01 demonstrated the [...] Read more.
Microbial degradation technology presents a sustainable approach to address the environmental persistence of polyethylene (PE). In this study, a consortium of PE-degrading strains was isolated from sludge in the production wastewater of a PE-manufacturing plant. Among these strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa SG01 demonstrated the highest cellular growth rate in culture medium, indicating its capacity to efficiently degrade PE and utilize it as the sole carbon source. Following treatment with SG01, the PE films exhibited a significant reduction in mass along with a clear decrease in surface contact angle, suggesting an improvement in hydrophilicity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis detected the formation of new absorption bands on the treated PE films, corresponding to hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amide functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations further revealed the presence of erosion pits and network-like cracks on the film surface. This study confirms that Pseudomonas aeruginosa SG01 can effectively degrade PE and modify its surface properties, offering a novel microbial resource for the bioremediation of PE contamination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers for Sustainable Solutions: Innovations and Applications)
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22 pages, 5760 KB  
Article
Polylactide/Polycaprolactone Nanofiber Scaffold Enhances Primary Cortical Neuron Growth
by Valeriia S. Shtol, Anastasiia D. Tsareva, Kirill A. Arsentiev, Sophia P. Konovalova, Suanda A. Tlimahova, Dmitry V. Klinov, Dimitri A. Ivanov and Pavel E. Musienko
Polymers 2026, 18(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18020294 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 849
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of the central nervous system (CNS). Effective scaffolds for repair must combine mechanical compatibility with host tissue, controlled degradation matching the time course of regeneration, and microarchitectural features [...] Read more.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of the central nervous system (CNS). Effective scaffolds for repair must combine mechanical compatibility with host tissue, controlled degradation matching the time course of regeneration, and microarchitectural features that promote neuronal survival. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds mimic the structural and mechanical features of the extracellular matrix, providing critical cues for neuronal adhesion and glial modulation in neural regeneration. Here, we fabricated biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) scaffolds using a dichloromethane/tetrahydrofuran (DCM/THF) solvent system to induce surface porosity via solvent-driven phase separation. The DCM/THF solvent system formulation produced nanofibers with porous surfaces and increased area for cell interaction. PLA/PCL scaffolds showed a Young’s modulus of ~26 MPa and sustained degradation, particularly under oxidative conditions simulating the post-injury microenvironment. In vitro, these scaffolds enhanced neuronal density up to fivefold and maintained ~80% viability over 10 days in primary neuron–glia cultures. Morphometric analysis revealed that DCM/THF-based scaffolds supported astrocytes with preserved process complexity and reduced circularity, indicative of a less reactive morphology. In contrast, scaffolds fabricated with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) displayed reduced bioactivity and promoted morphological features associated with astrocyte reactivity, including cell rounding and process retraction. These findings demonstrate that solvent-driven control of scaffold microarchitecture is a powerful strategy to enhance neuronal integration and modulate glial morphology, positioning DCM/THF-processed PLA/PCL scaffolds as a promising platform for CNS tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers for Sustainable Solutions: Innovations and Applications)
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15 pages, 3020 KB  
Article
Bioactive Surface Modifications on Bioresorbable Bone Screws: A Step Forward in Orthopedic Surgery
by Ainur G. Matveyeva, Olga P. Boychenko, Alexander P. Moskalets, Sergey S. Zakakuev, Nikolay A. Barinov, Alexandra S. Bogdanova, Olga V. Morozova, Dmitry V. Klinov and Dimitri A. Ivanov
Polymers 2026, 18(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010052 - 24 Dec 2025
Viewed by 996
Abstract
Despite metals currently being widely used in orthopedic surgery, their mechanical properties significantly differ from the surrounding tissues and organs, causing low biocompatibility. Biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-immunogenic materials seem to be more convenient for clinical implementation. Our research was aimed at the construction [...] Read more.
Despite metals currently being widely used in orthopedic surgery, their mechanical properties significantly differ from the surrounding tissues and organs, causing low biocompatibility. Biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-immunogenic materials seem to be more convenient for clinical implementation. Our research was aimed at the construction of a polylactide screw covered with collagen, nanohydroxyapatite, and polylactide, with a variant including silver nanowires for antibacterial properties, as well as the analysis of their physico-chemical and biological properties. Adherent human osteosarcoma cells (2T line) were shown to grow on the porous surface layers. A cytotoxicity assay using WST1 revealed the non-toxic nature of the coatings and showed an increase in cell adhesion and proliferation. Safety and efficacy were also evaluated in vivo with the coated screws implanted into the metatarsal bones of minipigs. Histological analysis at 29 and 58 days post-screw-implantation revealed that the coated samples accelerated bone tissue regeneration compared to uncoated controls. This was evidenced by a higher bone-to-granulation tissue ratio, reduced inflammatory cell counts, and increased osteoblast/osteoclast activity at the early stage during the initial days after implantation. The results confirm that the developed bioactive coatings enhance biocompatibility and osteointegration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers for Sustainable Solutions: Innovations and Applications)
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Review

Jump to: Research

61 pages, 2268 KB  
Review
Biodegradable Polymers: Properties, Applications, and Environmental Impact
by Rashid Dallaev, Nikola Papež, Mohammad M. Allaham and Vladimír Holcman
Polymers 2025, 17(14), 1981; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17141981 - 18 Jul 2025
Cited by 52 | Viewed by 13907
Abstract
The accelerating global demand for sustainable materials has brought biodegradable polymers to the forefront of scientific and industrial innovation. These polymers, capable of decomposing through biological processes into environmentally benign byproducts, are increasingly seen as viable alternatives to conventional plastics in sectors such [...] Read more.
The accelerating global demand for sustainable materials has brought biodegradable polymers to the forefront of scientific and industrial innovation. These polymers, capable of decomposing through biological processes into environmentally benign byproducts, are increasingly seen as viable alternatives to conventional plastics in sectors such as packaging, agriculture, and biomedicine. However, despite significant advancements, the field remains fragmented due to the diversity of raw materials, synthesis methods, degradation mechanisms, and application requirements. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the current state of biodegradable polymer development, including their classifications, sources (natural, synthetic, and microbially derived), degradation pathways, material properties, and commercial applications. It highlights critical scientific and technological challenges—such as optimizing degradation rates, ensuring mechanical performance, and scaling up production from renewable feedstocks. By consolidating recent research findings and regulatory considerations, this review serves as a crucial reference point for researchers, material scientists, and policymakers. It strives to bridge knowledge gaps in order to accelerate the deployment of biodegradable polymers as integral components of a circular and low-impact material economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers for Sustainable Solutions: Innovations and Applications)
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