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Polymers
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Latest Progress on Polymer Synthesis with Multifunctional Monomers
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Latest Progress on Polymer Synthesis with Multifunctional Monomers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 3180

Editors

Prof. Dr. Placido Mineo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: polymers synthesis; nanomaterials for depollution; functional polymers; polymer characterization; polymers for space; polymers for sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Mohamad Al-Sheikhly

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Radiation and Polymer Science, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, A. J. Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2115, USA
Interests: polymers; biomaterials; radiation engineering; nuclear engineering; environmental effects
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Synthetic polymeric materials have greatly contributed to the development of novel, lighter, stronger and higher-thermostability materials. Along with new catalytic systems and processes, synthetic polymer chemistry is evolving rapidly towards the development of highly functional materials. New functional polymeric materials are produced through precise molecular engineering, surface engineering and/or composite preparation and other possible means for the betterment of the existing polymer technology and products.

In view of this goal, this Special Issue in Polymers, “Latest Progress on Polymer Synthesis with Multifunctional Monomers”, will disseminate original ideas, concepts and developments in the field of polymer science and technology, including polymer synthesis with (multi)functional monomers, which impart specific chemical resistance/reactivity mechanisms and physical, chemical, structural, biological and/or therapeutic functions. Original articles, reviews, mini-reviews and short communications covering the latest advances in the synthesis, applications and characterization of functional polymers are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Placido Mineo
Prof. Dr. Mohamad Al-Sheikhly
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-anonymized 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 chemistry
  • polymer synthesis
  • polymerization kinetics
  • composites
  • hybrid materials
  • aerogels
  • hydrogels
  • surface engineering
  • molecular engineering
  • chiral polymers

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 5573 KB  
Article
Design of Vitrimers with Simultaneous Degradable and Dynamic Crosslinkers: Mechanical and Thermal Behavior Based on Transesterification Reactions Between β-Amino Esters and Hydroxylated Acrylate/Methacrylate Monomers
by Naroa Ayensa, Felipe Reviriego, Helmut Reinecke, Alberto Gallardo, Carlos Elvira and Juan Rodríguez-Hernández
Polymers 2025, 17(18), 2448; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17182448 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1940
Abstract
In recent years, efforts have focused on developing repairable, malleable, and recyclable thermoset materials to reduce the growing volume of polymer waste and extend the lifetime of existing polymeric materials. Specifically, associative covalent adaptable networks (CANs), also known as vitrimers, have received considerable [...] Read more.
In recent years, efforts have focused on developing repairable, malleable, and recyclable thermoset materials to reduce the growing volume of polymer waste and extend the lifetime of existing polymeric materials. Specifically, associative covalent adaptable networks (CANs), also known as vitrimers, have received considerable attention. In this work, photopolymerizable vitrimers were prepared by combining crosslinkers containing β-amino esters in their structure with hydroxylated acrylate or methacrylate monomers, with the aim of reprocessing these materials through the activation of transesterification reactions. The network design and photopolymerization conditions were optimized to ensure the successful formation of the vitrimers. Tunable mechanical and thermal properties were achieved by varying their chemical composition. Furthermore, the reprocessing ability of these materials was confirmed through thermal treatments. Additionally, these vitrimers exhibited the ability to undergo hydrolysis in basic aqueous media, providing an alternative pathway for recycling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Progress on Polymer Synthesis with Multifunctional Monomers)
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Review

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39 pages, 6840 KB  
Review
The Mechanisms of the Initiation Step in Ring-Opening Polymerization of β-Lactones: A Review
by Zbigniew Grobelny, Sylwia Golba and Justyna Jurek-Suliga
Polymers 2026, 18(12), 1488; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18121488 - 13 Jun 2026
Viewed by 410
Abstract
Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of β-lactones yields biodegradable and bioresorbable polyesters exhibiting potential utility in medicine and environmental protection. β-butyrolactone (BL) is especially interesting, as it yields polymers analogous to natural poly(3-hydroxybutyrates) produced by bacteria, fungi, and enzymes in nature. The biopolymer produced by [...] Read more.
Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of β-lactones yields biodegradable and bioresorbable polyesters exhibiting potential utility in medicine and environmental protection. β-butyrolactone (BL) is especially interesting, as it yields polymers analogous to natural poly(3-hydroxybutyrates) produced by bacteria, fungi, and enzymes in nature. The biopolymer produced by these microorganisms is isotactic. While it can be synthesized biotechnologically through the bacterial fermentation of substrates, such as sucrose, corn, and sugar, laboratory production typically involves the ring-opening polymerization of BL. However, the latter process is mainly atactic, syndiotactic, or partly isotactic, and other β-substituted β-lactones are less well-known. Ring-opening polymerization is an excellent pathway for the production of poly(β-lactones). This critical review presents the different conditions required to synthesize poly(β-lactones) and a broad overview of the different kinds of ROPs, i.e., anionic, cationic, coordinative, supramolecular-based, and enzymatic processes. A great variety of initiators/catalysts have been studied, covering both metal-based and metal-free systems (organo- and biocatalysts). In this review, several mechanisms of β-lactone polymerization are presented and discussed, especially with regard to the processes’ initiation steps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Progress on Polymer Synthesis with Multifunctional Monomers)
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