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Polymers publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Technological Routes for the Valorisation of Plastic Waste: Degradation Mechanisms and Sustainable Approaches

edited by

Jose D. Badia

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 238 | Submission Open

Keywords: degradation; stability; recycling; plastic waste; upgrading

(This special issue belongs to the Section Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science)

Advancing Polyester: Novel Approaches and Applications in Materials Science

edited by

Liuchun Zheng

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 226 | Submission Open

Keywords: polyester; functional; biodegradable; biocompatible; bioresorbable; hydrophilic; gas barrier properties; ultraviolet shielding properties; antibacterial; anti-fouling; chromatophilous; shape memory; self-cleaning; self-healing; cationic; anionic; zwitterionic; highly transparent; heat-resistant; high-performance; high strength; high modulus; highly ductile; poly(L-lactic acid); poly(butylene succinate); polycaprolactone; poly(butylene adipate terephthalate); poly(p-dioxanone); polyglycollide; poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid); drug delevery; intravascular stent

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Development and Innovation of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers

edited by

Po-Chih Yang

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 222 | Submission Open

Keywords: stimuli-responsive polymer; drug delivery; biosensing for tissue generation; smart coatings; artificial muscles; physical stimuli; temperature; electric; magnetic fields; mechanical stress; chemical stimuli; pH; ionic factors; chemical agents

(This special issue belongs to the Section Smart and Functional Polymers)

New Green Polymer Materials and Their Promising Applications Towards Artefacts Surface Treatments

edited by

Maduka Lankani Weththimuni

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 205 | Submission Open

Keywords: green polymers; hydrogels; artefacts; protective coatings; consolidation agent; different substrates

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Artificial Intelligence in Polymers

edited by

Ming-Xiao Zhu

Guochang Li

and

Jianyi Xue

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 173 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymer; composite; structure– property relationships; insulation property; thermal behavior; mechanical strength; artificial intelligence; machine learning; rational design

(This special issue belongs to the Section Artificial Intelligence in Polymer Science)

Damage Mechanics of 3D Printed Polymer Structures and Components

edited by

Muhammad Khan

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 125 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymer structures; damage mechanics; 3D printing; additive manufacturing polymers

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Processing and Engineering)

Valorization of Waste and Plant Biomasses for Functional Polymer-Based Material Development

edited by

Donatella Duraccio

and

Giovanna Gomez D’Ayala

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 79 | Submission Open

Keywords: plant biomass; waste valorization; advanced materials; sustainability; polymer characterization

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Polymer Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering (3rd Edition)

edited by

Ariana Hudita

and

Bianca Gǎlǎţeanu

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 71 | Submission Open

Keywords: bioinspired implantable materials; nano shuttles; polymeric drug-delivery systems; tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; non-viral vectors; modern biomedicine

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Advances in Wood and Wood Polymer Composites

edited by

Antonios Papadopoulos

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 67 | Submission Open

Keywords: wood; wood polymer composites; lignocellulosic composites; chemical or thermal modification; nanotechnology and nanomaterials

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Innovations in Bioplastic and Sustainable Plastics

edited by

Alberto Romero García

and

Johar Amin Ahmed Abdullah

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 66 | Submission Open

Keywords: biodegradable polymers; bioplastics; circular economy; eco-friendly alternatives; innovative techniques; sustainable plastics; plant-based polymers; processing technologies

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Polymeric Hydrogel-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications

edited by Jiachang Huang

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 57 | Submission Open

Keywords: Polymer hydrogels; biomedical applications; drug delivery systems; tissue engineering scaffolds; smart hydrogels

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Functional Chitosan-Based Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

edited by

Aldo Amaro-Reyes

and

Carlos Regalado-González

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 52 | Submission Open

Keywords: chitosan; biopolymers; nanocomposites; functional polymer; film; coating; electrospinning; nanofiber; aerogel; nanoparticles; crosslinking; oxidation; polymerization

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Advances in Polymeric-Based Hybrid Materials and Their Applications

edited by Antonio Peñas-Sanjuán

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 50 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymer - inorganic materials; polymer - organic materials; polymer - nanomaterials; polymer - responsive materials; multiphase polymer materials; biobased polymer composites; multifunctional hybrid polymer materials; synthetic strategies of hybrid polymer materials; processing technologies; applications of polymer hybrid materials (energy; textile; medicine; optoelectronic; sensing; coating; structural applications; packaging; etc.)

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Biomimetic Compounds in Modern Engineering of Polymer Materials

edited by

Krzysztof Moraczewski

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 49 | Submission Open

Keywords: bioinspired polymerization techniques; assessing the physicochemical properties; mechanical performance; durability; life-cycle analysis; controlled degradation; biomedical devices; sustainable packaging; smart coatings; self-healing materials

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Advancements in Biopolymers for Tissue Engineering: Innovations, Challenges and Future Directions

edited by Monica B. Mathor

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 46 | Submission Open

Keywords: biopolymers; tissue engineering; scaffolds; hydrogels; 3D bioprinting; regenerative medicine; biocompatibility; biodegradability; drug delivery; stem cells; biofabrication; biomaterials; cell– material interactions; in vitro; in vivo

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Advanced Polymers from Renewable Resources

edited by

Cristina Cazan

and

Mihai Alin Pop

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 46 | Submission Open

Keywords: sustainable materials; renewable resources; renewable monomers; circular economy; CO2 utilization in polymer synthesis; polycarbonates from CO2; biopolymer; bioplastic; bio-based polyurethane foams; biodegradability and compostability; bio-based polymer synthesis; sustainable polymerization techniques; green polymer processing; nanocomposites from biopolymers; bio-based packaging materials; advanced functional biopolymers; microbial fermentation for biopolymers; eco-friendly polymer applications; mechanical properties of biopolymers; enzymatic degradation of polymers; sustainable feedstocks for polymers; carbon-negative polymer technologies; thermal and chemical stability of biopolymers; waste valorization in bio-polymer production; next-generation bio-composites; sustainable coatings and adhesives; eco-design in polymer materials; hybrid bio-based materials

(This special issue belongs to the Section Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science)

Recent Advances in Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers

edited by

Josiane Caetano

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 44 | Submission Open

Keywords: electrospinning; nanofibers; hybrid nanofibers; biomedical applications; environmental applications; energy applications; nanotechnology

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Fibers)

Polymer- and Biomacromolecule-Based Biomimetic Underwater Adhesives

edited by

Wen Li

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 44 | Submission Open

Keywords: underwater adhesives; wet adhesives; bioadhesives; tissue sealants; hydrogel patch; functional adhesives; eco-friendly adhesives; adhesive mechanism

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Eco-Friendly Wood-Based Composites—Challenges and Prospects

edited by

Dorota Dukarska

and

Jakub Kawalerczyk

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 42 | Submission Open

Keywords: eco-innovations; wood-based materials; wood– polymer composites; bio-based hybrid polymer composites; alternative raw materials in the production of wood-based materials; eco-friendly bonding agents; modification of adhesive resins; wood modification; modification of composites; green composites; eco-friendly polymers in wood-based materials production; bio-based coatings for wood and wood-based materials; bio-based polymers for wood preservation

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Multiscale and Multi-Physical Behavior of Polymers and Polymer Composites

edited by

Pei Li

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 42 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymers and polymer composites; modeling; structure– property relationships; multiscale and multi-physical behaviors; thermos-mechanical properties

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Physics and Theory)

Advanced Polymer-Surfactant Systems for Petroleum Applications

edited by

Yang Zhang

and Hailong Chen

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 39 | Submission Open

Keywords: surfactant; polymer; functional materials; surface treatment; hydrogel; foaming stability

(This special issue belongs to the Section Smart and Functional Polymers)

Structure, Properties and Applications of Starch

edited by Kálmán Marossy

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 38 | Submission Open

Keywords: starch; starch-related polymers; modification of starch; starch esters; chemical modification

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Smart and Active Food Packaging Systems Based on Natural Polymers

edited by Jie Liu and

Ying Pei

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 37 | Submission Open

Keywords: natural polymer; food packaging; polysaccharide; protein; lipid; antimicrobial activity; antioxidant activity; intelligent sensing; real-time monitoring

(This special issue belongs to the Section Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science)

Recent Advances in Emerging Polymeric Technologies for Hazardous Compounds

edited by

and

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 30 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymers; molecularly imprinted polymers; smart materials; polymeric platforms; decontamination; hazardous compounds; (bio)sensors for drugs/explosives/dyes/pollutants/biological and chemical agents; detection; hydrogels

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Advanced Resin Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization, Processing and Applications, 2nd Edition

edited by

Yizhuo Gu

and

Shaokai Wang

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 29 | Submission Open

Keywords: fibers; thermoplastic resin; thermosetting resin; polymer matrix composites; interface/interphase; numerical analysis; process simulation; 3D printing; 4D printing

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Chemistry)

Multifunctional Hydrogels Based on Natural Polymers

edited by

Diana Elena Ciolacu

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 28 | Submission Open

Keywords: natural polymers; hydrogels; biomaterials; biocompatibility; drug delivery; tissue engineering; wound healing; 3D bioprinting; wastewater treatment; food packaging; flexible electronics; soft actuators

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Networks and Gels)

Advances in Multifunctional Polymeric Spheres and Their Applications

edited by

Robert Pazik

and Emilia Zachanowicz

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 20 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymeric spheres; hybrid materials; functional composites; polymer functionalization; fabrication techniques

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Physics and Theory)

Polymer Membranes for Gas and Liquid Filtration Techniques

edited by

Sadhasivam Thangarasu

Taehwan Oh

and Gowthami Palanisamy

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 19 | Submission Open

Keywords: gas phase filter; primary filters; secondary filters; separators; microfiltration; nanofiltration; ultrafiltration; polymer membrane

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Membranes and Films)

Intelligent Food Packaging Based on Natural Components and Biodegradable Polymers: From Basic Research to Industrial Applications

edited by

Jia-Horng Lin

and

Jiangyu Zhu

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 18 | Submission Open

Keywords: biodegradable polymers; food packaging; food spoilage; intelligent packaging; food safety; biopolymer film; smart label; coatings

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Advances in Electrospun Nanofibers for Skin Regeneration

edited by

Juliana Rosa Dias

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 17 | Submission Open

Keywords: electrospun meshes; skin regeneration; wound healing; 3D electrospun-based structures; stimuli-responsive electrospun wound dressings; ECM composition mimicking

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Fibers)

Natural Polymers: Structure, Function and Application

edited by

Zhaojun Wang

submission deadline 31 Oct 2025 | Viewed by 14 | Submission Open

Keywords: carbohydrate polymers; food hydrocolloids; dietary fibers; protein; structure; conformation; physicochemical properties; rheology; functionality; bioactivity

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Advanced Processing Strategy for Functional Polymer Materials: 2nd Edition

edited by

Yinghong Chen

submission deadline 10 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 19 | Submission Open

Keywords: advanced polymer processing; functional polymer materials; polymer composite; polymer blend; polymer nanocomposite; high performance; multi-functions; multiscale structural control; structure manipulation; additive manufacturing; 3D printing; microprocessing; rotary extrusion; foaming; biaxial stretching; multilayer coextrusion

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Processing and Engineering)

Advances in Lignocellulose Research and Applications

edited by Shufang Wu,

Guolin Tong

and Qiulu Chu

submission deadline 10 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 12 | Submission Open

Keywords: lignocellulose; cellulose; lignin

(This special issue belongs to the Section Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science)

Polyurethane Composites: Properties and Applications

edited by Jianying Hu

submission deadline 15 Nov 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4055 | Submission Open

Keywords: polyurethane composites; physicochemical properties; synthesis; characterizations; thermal conduction; anti-bacterial; self-healing

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites)

Conductive Polymers for Electronic Devices, Displays and Sensors

edited by

Yesong Gu

submission deadline 15 Nov 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 665 | Submission Open

Keywords: conductive polymers; electronic devices; displays; sensors; biosensors

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

New Progress in the Polymer-Based Biomaterials

edited by

Olga Kammona

submission deadline 15 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 39 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymeric biomaterials; polymer synthesis; biofunctionalization; drug delivery; regenerative medicine; tissue engineering; diagnostics; nanocarriers; scaffolds; biomimetic hydrogels

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

New Progress in Biodegradable Polymeric Materials

edited by

Marco A. Ortenzi

submission deadline 15 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 32 | Submission Open

Keywords: biodegradable polymers; biodegradable polymeric materials; polymer synthesis; biobased polymers; polymer characterization; polymeric material processing; bioplastics

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Novel Resin Composite Formulations for Simple, Aesthetic and Durable Dental Restorations

edited by

Mário Polido

and António H.S. Delgado

submission deadline 15 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 8 | Submission Open

Keywords: self-adhesive composites; one-shade composites; longevity; dental adhesion; functional particles; resin composites

(This special issue belongs to the Section Smart and Functional Polymers)

Functional Materials Based on Biodegradable Polymers

edited by

Giovanna Gomez D’Ayala

submission deadline 20 Nov 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1400 | Submission Open

Keywords: synthetic polymers; biodegradable polymers; iomedical; food packaging; automotive; electrical

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)

Advanced Biomimetic Polymer Materials

edited by Xiaofei Cao

submission deadline 20 Nov 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 314 | Submission Open

Keywords: biomimetic polymer structural materials; mechanical design; material behavior; advanced manufacturing; performance characterization; multifunctional characteristics

(This special issue belongs to the Section Smart and Functional Polymers)

Polymeric Composite for Biosensor Applications

edited by Fei Han

submission deadline 20 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 37 | Submission Open

Keywords: composites; biosensors; multifunctional polymer; wearable

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Advanced Polymers in Pharmacy and Biomedicine: Innovations and Future Perspectives

edited by

Adina Magdalena Musuc

submission deadline 20 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 19 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymers; biodegradable polymers; controlled drug release; pharmaceutical formulations; biocompatible materials; medical devices; tissue engineering; smart polymers; pharmaceuticals; medicine; regenerative medicine; biopolymer-based hydrogels; drug delivery systems

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Emerging Trends in Polymer Engineering: Polymer Connect-2024

edited by

Alberto García-Peñas

submission deadline 25 Nov 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5404 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymers; emerging trends; advanced materials; nanocomposites; biomaterials; hydrogels; resins; innovation

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Processing and Engineering)

Advanced Polymeric Materials for Medical Applications

edited by Jingyi Zhu

submission deadline 25 Nov 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2223 | Submission Open

Keywords: biofunctional polymer; functional polymeric materials and devices; polymeric-based vaccine; drug delivery; molecular imaging; gene transfection; tissue engineering; biosensing; biomedical imaging and diagnostics; disease detection and therapy

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites)

Functional Polymeric Materials for Food Packaging Applications

edited by Vitor Augusto Dos Santos Garcia,

Fernanda Maria Vanin

and

Cristiana Maria Pedroso Yoshida

submission deadline 25 Nov 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1277 | Submission Open

Keywords: antioxidant; antimicrobial; natural polymers; biodegradable packaging; foods

(This special issue belongs to the Section Smart and Functional Polymers)

Advances in Polymer-Based Organic Semiconductor Materials and Devices

edited by Qingqing Yang and Lihui Liu

submission deadline 25 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 504 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymer semiconductor; photovoltaics; light-emitting diodes; transistors; flexible electronics

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Advances in Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cutaneous Applications

edited by Ioana Alexandra Plugariu and

Maria Bercea

submission deadline 25 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 58 | Submission Open

Keywords: smart polymers; polysaccharides; hydrogels; transdermal formulations; bioavailability; absorption promoters; gels; β -cyclodextrin; liposomes; therapeutic characteristics; pharmaceutics; drug delivery systems

(This special issue belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

Development in Polymer Recycling

edited by Weizhong Zheng

submission deadline 25 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 18 | Submission Open

Keywords: polymer recycling; high-value utilization; mechanical recycling; chemical upcycling; mixed plastic separation; plastic upcycling

(This special issue belongs to the Section Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science)

Polymers for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Applications

edited by