Polymers

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daniela Ailincai

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Guest Editor

“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Gr. Ghica Voda Alley, 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: supramolecular chemistry; drug delivery systems; antimicrobial materials based on chitosan

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biopolymers possess the advantages of biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them attractive for various applications, such as bioplastics, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, biomaterials and so on. Additionally, understanding the structure and function of biopolymers is fundamental to disciplines such as molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. Their versatile nature and importance in living organisms have led to ongoing research and innovation in the field of biopolymers. Therefore, the development of supramolecular architectures based on biopolymers is of paramount importance in various scientific disciplines and has wide-ranging implications for both fundamental research and practical applications. Moreover, the field of supramolecular architectures based on biopolymers not only contributes to the understanding of fundamental biological processes but also has far-reaching implications in fields such as medicine, materials science, and environmental sustainability. It offers a wealth of opportunities for scientific advancement and the development of novel technologies and solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges.

In this context, the objective of the current Special Issue, entitled "Supramolecular Structures Derived from Biopolymers", is to present the most recent advancements in the realm of supramolecular structures involving biopolymers. This Issue aims to present cutting-edge research on the synthesis, characterization, and potential applications of biopolymer-based supramolecular architectures.

Dr. Daniela Ailincai
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

biopolymers
supramolecular architectures
self-assembly
host-guest systems
molecular recognition

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 9953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Citryl-Imino-Chitosan Xerogels as Promising Materials for Mercury Recovery from Waste Waters

by Daniela Ailincai and Bianca Iustina Andreica

Polymers 2024, 16(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16010019 - 20 Dec 2023

Viewed by 685

Abstract

The present study reported the obtention of xerogels based on chitosan and citral and their use as materials for mercury ion recovery from aqueous solutions, this being a serious problem related to the environment. The systems were prepared by the acid condensation of chitosan with citral, followed by the lyophilization of the resulting hydrogels, in order to obtain highly porous solid materials. The structural, morphological and supramolecular characterization of the systems was performed using ¹H-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The ability of the obtained materials to be used for the recovery of mercury from aqueous solutions revealed the high potential of the xerogels to be used in this sense, the analysis of the materials post mercury absorption experiments revealing that this ability is predominantly conferred by the imine linkages which act as coordinating moieties for mercury ions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supramolecular Structures Derived from Biopolymers)

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Review

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34 pages, 5558 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Applications of Chitosan and Its Derivatives in Antibacterial, Anticancer, Wound Healing, and Tissue Engineering Fields

by Saeid Mezail Mawazi, Mohit Kumar, Noraini Ahmad, Yi Ge and Syed Mahmood

Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101351 - 10 May 2024

Viewed by 1053

Abstract

Chitosan, a versatile biopolymer derived from chitin, has garnered significant attention in various biomedical applications due to its unique properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mucoadhesiveness. This review provides an overview of the diverse applications of chitosan and its derivatives in the antibacterial, anticancer, wound healing, and tissue engineering fields. In antibacterial applications, chitosan exhibits potent antimicrobial properties by disrupting microbial membranes and DNA, making it a promising natural preservative and agent against bacterial infections. Its role in cancer therapy involves the development of chitosan-based nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimising side effects. Chitosan also plays a crucial role in wound healing by promoting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and regulating inflammatory responses. Additionally, chitosan serves as a multifunctional scaffold in tissue engineering, facilitating the regeneration of diverse tissues such as cartilage, bone, and neural tissue by promoting cell adhesion and proliferation. The extensive range of applications for chitosan in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences is not only highlighted by the comprehensive scope of this review, but it also establishes it as a fundamental component for forthcoming research in biomedicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supramolecular Structures Derived from Biopolymers)

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