Advances of Bio-Based Materials in Surface Chemistry

Dear Colleagues,

Bio-based materials—proteins, polysaccharides, or lipids—have taken up an increasing share in the development of surface chemistry in recent years. This is related to the dramatic degradation of the natural environment under the influence of synthetic surfactants.

Therefore, we now look for a safe, readily biodegradable alternative to synthetic compounds.

Recently, various biopolymers have been used as natural surface-active substances (i.e., saponins) or stabilizers of manufactured dispersed systems (foams, emulsions, or liquid films). There are incorporated into solutions in the form of dissolved compounds or insoluble organic nano or microparticles.

Moreover, bio-based materials often have their own biological or medical properties. Therefore, their introduction to the surface layer may be an additional positive factor in creating such systems. In this way, layers with healing or preserving properties (e.g., food) can be generated.

Developing similar multi-component systems based on various bio-based materials and their derivatives requires a thorough study of all the interactions between the used components of the mixtures (electrokinetic or hydrogen bonds). In addition, it is important that we know the morphology of the created surface layers, the conformational arrangement of individual components in the layers, and the impact of possible external factors (pH, temperature, and others) on the stability of the created dispersed systems.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the fundamental and applied aspects involved in the introduction of bio-based materials into Surface Chemistry. The developments in this field must go beyond the traditionally studied areas to incorporate new suggestions for resolving challenges. New theoretical approaches, numerical simulations, and novel methods of stabilizing foams, emulsions, or thin films with bio-based materials are welcome.

Dr. Marcel Krzan
Guest Editor

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