Next-Generation Textiles: Advancements in Functional Polymers for Sustainable, Smart and Health-Enhancing Fabrics

Dear Colleagues,

The role of textiles in occupational safety and health is pivotal, especially in the domain of personal protective equipment (PPE). Across diverse fields such as healthcare, the oil and gas industry, extreme weather operations, firefighting, and military service, the demand for advanced textiles that can provide enhanced protection against specific occupational hazards is increasing. These hazards range from exposure to harmful particulates and toxic gases in firefighting to biological threats in healthcare settings, and extreme environmental conditions faced by military personnel. The effectiveness of PPE, including garments, gloves, and masks, depends significantly on the functional properties of the textiles used in their construction.

This Special Issue "Next-Generation Textiles: Advancements in Functional Polymers for Sustainable, Smart and Health-Enhancing Fabrics," invites researchers to contribute original research articles, reviews, and case studies on the latest developments in functional polymers for textiles. The focus is on innovative materials that offer smart solutions, such as self-decontaminating surfaces, temperature regulation, and improved mechanical durability, while also prioritizing sustainability and environmental friendliness. Contributions may explore the synthesis and application of novel polymeric materials in textiles, advancements in nanotechnology and biotechnology for textile enhancement, and the development of smart fabrics that respond to environmental stimuli with applications in occupational safety and health.

Key topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development and characterization of new polymers for enhanced PPE functionality.
• Innovations in smart textiles that adapt to environmental changes or user needs, such as thermal regulation or moisture management.
• Sustainable and eco-friendly materials for PPE, addressing the lifecycle and environmental impact of protective textiles.
• Biocompatible and non-toxic polymeric materials for healthcare PPE, offering protection against viruses and bacteria.
• Advanced textile technologies for improved durability, resistance, and performance in extreme conditions faced by oil and gas industry workers, military personnel, and others.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the critical role of functional polymers in advancing the next generation of textiles, focusing on sustainable, intelligent, and health-promoting properties. By bringing together the latest scientific and technological advancements, we seek to foster innovation in PPE development, contributing to enhanced occupational safety and health across various sectors.

Prof. Dr. Guowen Song
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.

• PPE
• hazards
• smart textiles
• protective textiles