Sustainable and Smart Asphalt Materials: Toward Greener Pavement Systems
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1412
Special Issue Editor
Interests: high-performance asphalt; energy-saving technologies; use of recycled materials in pavement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The rapid growth of global infrastructure has increased the demand for high-performance, durable, and environmentally responsible pavement materials. Conventional asphalt binders and polymer modifiers often rely on non-renewable petroleum-based resources, which pose challenges to sustainability and environmental protection. In recent years, bio-based polymers, recycled materials, and smart modification technologies have emerged as promising solutions for developing eco-friendly and long-lasting pavements.
This Special Issue aims to bring together recent advancements and innovative research in the field of sustainable pavement materials, focusing on bio-based binders, recycled additives, self-healing systems, nanomaterial modification, and circular economy applications. Studies addressing the mechanical, rheological, and environmental performance of these materials, as well as life-cycle assessment and durability evaluation, are particularly welcome.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Bio-based and renewable polymer modification of asphalt;
- Recycling of plastics, rubbers, and industrial waste for pavement use;
- Self-healing and smart materials for extended service life;
- Molecular dynamics simulation and surface energy analysis in material design;
- Environmental impact assessment and circular economy in road construction.
By gathering cutting-edge research in this field, this Special Issue seeks to promote the transition toward sustainable, resilient, and carbon-efficient pavement systems.
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.
Prof. Dr. Zengping Zhang
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainable pavement materials
- bio-based polymers
- asphalt modification
- recycled materials
- self-healing asphalt
- circular economy
- environmental performance
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