Polymer-Based Innovations for Sustainable and Resilient Pavements
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 142
Special Issue Editors
Interests: pavement materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: pavement engineering; infrastructure materials; discrete element modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The integrity, durability, and environmental footprint of modern transportation infrastructure are intrinsically linked to pavement performance. Under the dual pressure of escalating traffic volumes and the increasing frequency of extreme climatic events, conventional pavement materials and structures are approaching their performance limits. Consequently, the strategic integration of polymer science into pavement engineering has emerged as a critical frontier for ensuring the longevity and resilience of road networks.
This Special Issue aims to provide an interdisciplinary platform for sharing the latest research advances on the use of organic polymers for pavement engineering. We focus on how organic polymers and polymeric additives improve the performance and durability of pavement structures and materials, as well as how they modify the microstructure and mechanical behavior of pavement binders or coatings. Furthermore, the scope of this Special Issue expands to polymer coatings for both indoor and outdoor floors, which are essential for enhancing the functional properties of surfaces, such as their slip resistance, chemical durability, and esthetic longevity in diverse environments. Special attention will be paid to the development of novel organic polymers, polymer-modified binders, and specialized polymer additives.
We invite researchers to submit original research articles and reviews that explore the synthesis, characterization, and application of polymer-based innovations for sustainable and resilient pavements and flooring coatings. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Advanced Polymers and their Modifications: Synthesis and characterization of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, as well as novel elastomer, plastomer, and resin-modified pavement binders.
- Polymer Coatings for Floors: Innovations in polymer-based coatings for both indoor and outdoor flooring applications, focusing on durability and functional performance.
- Smart and Functional Materials: Self-healing polymers, organic-polymeric phase-change materials (PCMs) for thermal regulation, and anti-icing/hydrophobic pavement coatings.
- Sustainability and Circular Economy: High-performance utilization of recycled waste plastics, rubber, and bio-polymers in pavement layers.
- Pavement Preservation: High-performance thin-layer coatings, emulsions, and surface treatments for life-cycle extension.
You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Coatings.
Prof. Dr. Hao Wu
Dr. Weimin Song
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
- polymer-modified asphalt
- polymer-based binder
- inorganic polymers
- smart and functional polymer materials
- waste plastic recycling
- resilient pavements
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