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Processes
Special Issues
Advances in the Production and Application of Environmentally Friendly Polymers
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Advances in the Production and Application of Environmentally Friendly Polymers

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2027 | Viewed by 5074

Editors

Dr. Miljana Mirković

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: materials science; X-Ray diffraction; calcium phosphates; ecofreiendly technologies; polymer materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Milena Pantic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Technological Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: general microbiology; hithosan materials; bioactive materials; technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on advancements in eco-friendly technologies for producing composite polymeric materials that exhibit various physical and chemical properties. These materials have applications across multiple areas, including medicine, industry, cosmetics, and biology. Certain polymer materials are crucial in environmental protection, construction, and building applications.

We invite submissions from researchers engaged in synthesizing, characterizing, and applying composite polymer materials, inorganic polymers, biopolymers, and hybrid polymer materials. Polymeric materials incorporating calcium phosphates are particularly interesting, especially for use in microbiological investigations as antimicrobial agents.

We encourage papers that discuss the development of polymeric materials derived from secondary sources or waste materials rich in silicon and aluminum, along with organic components. Additionally, we welcome research on hybrid polymeric materials from organic residues—such as chitosan, polymeric materials developed from oilcake, or cellulose produced by acetic acid bacteria—that can additionally be functionalized with inorganic components. These materials can serve various purposes, including being used as adsorbents, antimicrobial agents, and additives in food processing and cosmetics.

This Special Issue aims to attract contributions from those focused on environmentally friendly processes for material production and those utilizing materials obtained through green technologies to purify water, air, and soil, thereby supporting environmental protection. We also encourage work related to materials with antimicrobial properties that can replace traditional agents used in microbiological processes.

Topics suitable for this Special Issue include the abovementioned areas and other innovative and ecologically friendly materials. We look forward to your contributions!

Dr. Miljana Mirković
Dr. Milena Pantic
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. Processes 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 2400 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

  • eco technolodgies
  • polymers
  • cosmetics
  • environmental protection

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 9314 KB  
Article
The Use of Bio-Carbonated Reactive Magnesia Cement-Solidified Construction and Demolition Waste for Water-Rich Goaf Filling
by Jue Li, Ju Pan, Yongquan Chen, Ling Xu, Wanli Chao, Zuen Zheng and Zhengnan Liu
Processes 2026, 14(14), 2320; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14142320 - 16 Jul 2026
Viewed by 265
Abstract
The disposal of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and the rehabilitation of water-rich goafs present two pressing challenges in sustainable mining and geotechnical engineering. This study introduces a bio-carbonated reactive magnesia cement (RMC) technology to solidify CDW for goaf backfilling applications. A comprehensive [...] Read more.
The disposal of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and the rehabilitation of water-rich goafs present two pressing challenges in sustainable mining and geotechnical engineering. This study introduces a bio-carbonated reactive magnesia cement (RMC) technology to solidify CDW for goaf backfilling applications. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties, water stability, and durability of bio-carbonated RMC-solidified CDW under simulated water-rich goaf environments. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the 16% RMC specimens reached 3.12 MPa after 28 days, which was approximately 21% higher than that of the 12% Portland cement (OPC) control. Under dynamic water erosion conditions of 1.0 m/s for 72 h, the 16% RMC specimens showed a mass loss rate of 2.68% and a strength retention rate of 84.2%, both of which were superior to those of the 12% OPC control. The water–land strength ratio of the 16% RMC specimens reached 0.90 after 28 days of immersion, and the strength retention rate remained at 73.1% after 12 wet–dry cycles. Compared to the OPC control, these two indicators respectively represent a precise increase of 25% and approximately 60%. Microstructural analysis revealed that hydrated magnesium carbonates (HMCs), including nesquehonite and hydromagnesite, formed a dense spatial network that binds CDW particles and blocks pore channels. Additionally, a random forest model quantified the relative importance of RMC content, curing age, and carbonation degree on UCS, confirming that RMC dosage and the extent of carbonation are the dominant controlling factors. The optimal RMC content was determined to be 16%, balancing performance and cost. This study demonstrates that bio-carbonated RMC-solidified CDW is a technically viable and low-carbon backfill material with substantial CO2 sequestration potential for water-rich goafs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Production and Application of Environmentally Friendly Polymers)
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21 pages, 1809 KB  
Article
Chitosan–Glucan Biopolymer Design: Extraction from Champignons with Improved Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Features
by Jelisaveta Todorov, Milena Pantić, Maja Kozarski, Vesna Lazić, Nina Todorović, Milena Obradović, Aleksandra Daković, Danina Krajišnik, Nikola Milašinović and Miljana Mirković
Processes 2025, 13(12), 3937; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123937 - 5 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1333
Abstract
In this study, biopolymer chitosan–glucan from fruiting bodies of Agaricus bisporus (Cs-Agrif) was extracted and characterized as a sustainable alternative to commercial low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan obtained from crab shells (Cs-1). Cs-Agrif was prepared through an alkaline treatment process that included deproteination [...] Read more.
In this study, biopolymer chitosan–glucan from fruiting bodies of Agaricus bisporus (Cs-Agrif) was extracted and characterized as a sustainable alternative to commercial low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan obtained from crab shells (Cs-1). Cs-Agrif was prepared through an alkaline treatment process that included deproteination and deacetylation in the same step. The obtained sample was evaluated for its molecular weight, rheological behavior, degree of deacetylation (DD), crystallinity, and β-glucan and phenolic contents. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of the prepared chitosan were determined under in vitro conditions using four spectrophotometric methods. Finally, its antimicrobial activity was tested against two pathogenic bacteria, one yeast, and mycotoxigenic fungi. Cs-Agrif had low molecular weight, of 45.70 ± 5.20 kDa, with pseudoplastic flow behavior. The degree of deacetylation was 92.7%. FT-IR and XRD analyses confirmed a chitosan-like structure and lower crystallinity in Cs-Agrif compared to pure commercial chitosan. The mushroom-derived chitosan contained β-glucans and phenols, indicating a chitosan–glucan complex. Antimicrobial assays showed low Cs-Agrif microbicidal concentrations (≤2.5 mg mL−1) for Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. The growth of Aspergillus flavus was significantly reduced after five days of incubation. The laboratory-prepared Cs-Agrif exhibited strong antioxidant activity at 5 mg mL−1, comparing to standards. Mushroom-derived chitosan–glucan biopolymer displays excellent physicochemical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, confirming its potential use in biomedicine, food, and the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, among many others. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Production and Application of Environmentally Friendly Polymers)
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Other

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42 pages, 2570 KB  
Systematic Review
Next-Generation Bioinputs: A Systematic Review of Biosurfactants in Sustainable Agriculture and Research Frontiers with Bacterial Cellulose
by Maria da Gloria Conceição da Silva, Anderson Oliveira de Medeiros, Bruno Augusto Cabral Roque, Maryana Rogéria dos Santos, Káren Gercyane Oliveira Bezerra, Fabíola Carolina Gomes de Almeida and Leonie Asfora Sarubbo
Processes 2026, 14(3), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14030398 - 23 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2758
Abstract
This systematic review article provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the use of bioinputs in sustainable agriculture, focusing on biosurfactants and absorbent polymers, particularly bacterial cellulose. The article contextualises the growing challenges in agricultural production due to population growth, climate change, and [...] Read more.
This systematic review article provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the use of bioinputs in sustainable agriculture, focusing on biosurfactants and absorbent polymers, particularly bacterial cellulose. The article contextualises the growing challenges in agricultural production due to population growth, climate change, and environmental limitations, highlighting the need for alternatives to traditional synthetic inputs that exert negative environmental impacts. The article details functions, types, and benefits, emphasising the ability of bioinputs to improve soil fertility, increase the efficiency of nutrient use, enhance plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, and reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture. Emerging biotechnologies are discussed, such as the combined use of biosurfactants with natural polymers to ensure sustainability and efficiency. This article offers an updated description of recent scientific and technological evidence and addresses the potential and limitations of these biological inputs in the global context of modern agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Production and Application of Environmentally Friendly Polymers)
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