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Polymers
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Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites and Their Emerging Applications
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Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites and Their Emerging Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 3168

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Suryani Saallah

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia
Interests: cellulose-based materials; nanomaterials; biopolymers; green chemistry
Prof. Dr. Shafiquzzaman Siddiquee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia
Interests: biochemistry; molecular microbiology; biotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With growing interest in sustainable and renewable materials, cellulose—a biodegradable and abundant biopolymer—has emerged as a versatile component in advanced polymer composite systems. These composites offer unique mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties and are increasingly utilized in packaging, biomedical devices, electronics, and structural materials.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on “Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites and Their Emerging Applications” in Polymers. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest research and developments in cellulose-based composites, aligning with Polymers’ focus on structure–property relationships, as well as the synthesis and application of polymeric materials. We welcome contributions exploring novel fabrication techniques, functionalization methods, characterization, and potential applications in emerging technologies.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) bio-based polymer blends, nanocellulose composites, green synthesis methods, biodegradable packaging materials, and smart cellulose-based systems.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Dr. Suryani Saallah
Prof. Dr. Shafiquzzaman Siddiquee
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

  • cellulose
  • nanocellulose
  • biopolymers
  • bio-based materials
  • biodegradable composites
  • functional materials
  • sustainable materials
  • smart materials
  • nanocomposites

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 8851 KB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Maguey (Agave cantala) Nano-Modified Bioplastic
by Kendra Felizimarie P. Magsico, Lorenz Inri C. Banabatac, Claudine A. Limos, Nolan C. Tolosa and Noel Peter B. Tan
Polymers 2026, 18(3), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18030325 - 26 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1021
Abstract
The environmental threat posed by small, single-use sachets sourced from 48% annual waste from excessive packaging has been assessed by investigating the development of nano-incorporated bioplastic films from the high-yield plant, maguey (Agave cantala). Maguey cellulose was acetylated (using 10 and [...] Read more.
The environmental threat posed by small, single-use sachets sourced from 48% annual waste from excessive packaging has been assessed by investigating the development of nano-incorporated bioplastic films from the high-yield plant, maguey (Agave cantala). Maguey cellulose was acetylated (using 10 and 15 mL of acetic anhydride for 16, 24, and 32 h), successfully yielding a high of 81.34% maguey cellulose acetate (MCA). MCA was confirmed to contain acetate groups (C=O, C-H, C-O) via FT-IR and exhibited a hydrophobicity of a 121.897° contact angle. Bioplastic films were fabricated using MCA solution combined with 15% (w/w) commercial cellulose acetate (CCA)/MCA and reinforced with nanoclay (NC) at 0.5%, 1%, and 3% (w/w) concentrations. Nanomaterial incorporation generally improved properties; however, mechanical strength declined with increasing NC concentration, recording tensile strengths of 2.01 MPa, 0.89 MPa, and 0.78 MPa for the 0.5%, 1%, and 3% NC films, respectively. Conversely, the 3% NC film showed the best barrier property, with a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 31.14 g/m2 h. Surface morphology confirmed NC integration (nanomaterial sizes 29.74 nm to 107.3 nm), and the 0.5% NC film displayed the smooth structure ideal for sustainable packaging. The slight increase in contact angle observed between the 0% NC (60.768°) and 0.5 NC (62.904°) films suggested limitations in NC dispersion. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential of using regenerated maguey cellulose acetate to create nano-bioplastic films with tailored mechanical and barrier properties for sustainable packaging, though optimization of NC loading and dispersion is necessary to maximize strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites and Their Emerging Applications)
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22 pages, 2310 KB  
Article
Fermentation of Lignocellulosic Substrates Enhances the Safety and Nutritional Quality of Flake Soil for Rhinoceros Beetle Rearing
by Khanchai Danmek, Tippapha Pisithkul, Chuleui Jung, Sukjun Sun, Hyeonjeong Jang, Surat Hongsibsong, Sampat Ghosh, Ming Cheng Wu, Pichet Praphawilai, Michael Burgett and Bajaree Chuttong
Polymers 2026, 18(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010095 - 29 Dec 2025
Viewed by 802
Abstract
The rhinoceros beetle (Xylotrupes gideon) requires safe and nutritious flake soil substrate for commercial rearing in northern Thailand, yet optimal lignocellulosic formulations remain undefined. This study evaluated five flake soil formulations substituting lignin-rich cadamba sawdust (0–100%) with cellulose-rich corn stover, plus [...] Read more.
The rhinoceros beetle (Xylotrupes gideon) requires safe and nutritious flake soil substrate for commercial rearing in northern Thailand, yet optimal lignocellulosic formulations remain undefined. This study evaluated five flake soil formulations substituting lignin-rich cadamba sawdust (0–100%) with cellulose-rich corn stover, plus cattle manure and rice bran, fermented for 90 days. Fermentation engineered the cellulose-lignin-hemicellulose matrix, reducing lignin from 25.07% to 7.30% while enriching cellulose from 29.73% to 33.83% and hemicellulose from 6.67% to 17.42%. Increasing corn stover enhanced crude protein (5.46–7.53%) and nitrogen-free extract (24.17–34.14%), creating T1 (25% substitution) as the optimal cellulose-based composite for X. gideon rearing. Microbial analysis showed T1-T2 supported highest α-diversity and lactic acid bacteria enrichment, suppressing pathogens like Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. Fermentation degraded >99% glyphosate residues (from 106 mg/kg to <0.25 mg/kg or undetectable). T1 is recommended as the optimal, sustainable flake soil for X. gideon rearing, balancing nutrition, microbiology, and safety while valorizing agricultural wastes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites and Their Emerging Applications)
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19 pages, 2686 KB  
Article
Preparation and Characterization of Thermo-Compressed Guar Gum/Microcrystalline Cellulose Composites for Applications in Sustainable Packaging
by Prasong Srihanam, Jenjira Jirum, Pakin Noppawan, Nuanchai Khotsaeng and Yodthong Baimark
Polymers 2025, 17(23), 3124; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233124 - 25 Nov 2025
Viewed by 971
Abstract
In this study, we prepared guar gum (GG) films using a compression molding technique for the first time, incorporating glycerol as a plasticizer and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a reinforcing filler. The chemical structures, thermal properties, crystalline structures, phase morphology, mechanical properties, moisture [...] Read more.
In this study, we prepared guar gum (GG) films using a compression molding technique for the first time, incorporating glycerol as a plasticizer and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a reinforcing filler. The chemical structures, thermal properties, crystalline structures, phase morphology, mechanical properties, moisture content, and film opacity of thermo-compressed GG films were investigated. The results show that using glycerol as a plasticizer enhanced the flexibility of the thermo-compressed GG film and promoted its crystallization. The incorporation of glycerol enhanced the thermal stability of the GG film matrix. The addition of MCC enhanced the tensile strength of the plasticized GG film; however, it resulted in a decrease in elongation at break. The incorporation of MCC in plasticized GG films resulted in enhanced opacity and a decrease in moisture content. Thermo-compressed GG films can be customized to exhibit various properties by adjusting the glycerol and MCC contents, making them suitable for a range of eco-friendly and sustainable packaging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose-Based Polymer Composites and Their Emerging Applications)
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