Advances in Sustainable Polymer Composites: Performance Enhancement and Multifunctional Applications
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 59
Special Issue Editors
Interests: polymer composites; nanocomposites; additive manufacturing; soft robotics; biopolymers; fibers; coatings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: biopolymers; coatings; binders; polymer composites; electrospinning; fibers; degradation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The development of sustainable polymer composites has emerged as a critical pathway toward reducing environmental impact while achieving high-performance materials for modern applications. Recent advances in bio-based polymers, recycled fillers, nanomaterials and green processing technologies are transforming polymer composites into multifunctional systems with enhanced mechanical, thermal and barrier properties. Sustainable additives derived from natural fibers, biocarbon, cellulose and engineered nanoparticles now enable tailored performance while maintaining eco-friendly profiles. Additionally, the growing integration of multifunctionality, such as self-healing behavior, stimuli responsiveness, conductivity, flame retardancy and antimicrobial activity, broadens the application potential of these composites in packaging, mobility, electronics, construction and biomedical fields. This Special Issue highlights cutting-edge research on material design, processing innovations, structure–property relationships and lifecycle assessments. By bridging sustainability with advanced functionality, the issue aims to guide the next generation of polymer composites toward circularity, durability and smart performance.
Dr. Vishal Gavande
Dr. Won-Ki Lee
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 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 composites
- biodegradable materials and composites
- advanced manufacturing
- life-cycle assessment (LCA)
- upcycling of composites
- green additives
- multifunctional materials
- structure-property relationships
- performance enhancement
- circular economy
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

