Advanced Cross-Linked Polymer Network
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Networks and Gels".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: functional polymer structure; composition control technology; development of dynamic cross-linked polymer network materials
Interests: polymer chemistry; interface engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Cross-linked polymers play essential roles in advanced materials, enabling high mechanical stability, chemical resistance, thermal tolerance, and long-term durability across a wide range of engineering applications. These properties are fundamentally governed by the chemical architecture of polymer networks, including network topology, cross-linking mechanism, segmental mobility, and the nature of dynamic or permanent covalent bonds. With recent developments in polymer chemistry, this field is witnessing rapid advances in sustainable cross-linking strategies, bio-derived precursors, dynamic covalent adaptable networks (CANs), and reprocessable or recyclable thermoset systems.
This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge studies on the design, synthesis, characterization, recycling, and application of advanced cross-linked polymer networks. Topics may include conventional thermosets, vitrimers, dynamic bond-exchangeable systems, high-performance cross-linked composites, and sustainable polymer networks enabling circular material flows. Contributions addressing reaction mechanisms, catalyst design, structural control, modeling, processing technologies, and application-driven structure–property analysis are highly encouraged.
We welcome original research papers, reviews, communications, and perspectives covering both fundamental chemistry and engineering-driven applications.
Dr. Sang-Ho Lee
Dr. Ki-Ho Nam
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
- cross-linked polymer networks
- dynamic covalent chemistry/CANs/vitrimers
- sustainable polymers and circular materials
- polymer structure–property relationships
- reprocessable and recyclable thermosets
- bio-based crosslinkers and monomers
- high-performance composite materials
- advanced processing technologies (molding, printing, foaming)
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