materials-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Advanced Polymer Composites for Sustainable Technologies: Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 997

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
Interests: advanced textile materials; biomimetic design of textiles; fabrication of nanomaterials; functional textiles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Industries urgently need materials that protect the planet without sacrificing performance. This Special Issue seeks groundbreaking research on polymer composites that merge sustainability with innovation. We encourage submissions on eco-friendly production methods, such as solvent-free processing, bio-based catalysts, or the conversion of plastic waste into durable materials, alongside smart composites that self-repair, regulate temperature for better insulation, or harvest energy from light/motion. Furthermore, these submissions should highlight real-world applications, such as renewable energy devices (flexible solar panels), carbon-trapping construction materials, or biodegradable packaging with extended shelf life. Innovations in circular solutions are critical; these include chemical recycling, enzyme-based breakdown systems, or reusable bio-composites. We prioritize studies demonstrating measurable impacts, from lowering microplastic pollution to reducing energy usage in bulding processes through thermal management, as well as those which employ advanced tools such as AI-driven testing or real-time monitoring to bridge lab breakthroughs with scalable solutions. We encourage works that demonstrate unique means to balance environmental benefits (e.g., waste reduction) with industrial durability, whether through smart insulation materials, energy-efficient displays, or closed-loop recycling.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Polymers and Joint Special Issue in Molecules.

Dr. Fujuan Liu
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 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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials 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 2600 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

  • sustainable polymer composites
  • thermal insulation materials
  • fiber-reinforced composites
  • renewable energy applications
  • biodegradable composites
  • flexible electronics
  • light-emitting materials
  • Janus membrane design
  • nanomaterials
  • biomimetic design

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

14 pages, 4304 KB  
Article
Improved Toughness of PLA/PBAT/Modified Bamboo Powder Composites Through Interfacial Regulation
by Yonghuan Zhao, Yu Qi, Lei Song, Yuan Mei, Wenxiang Zhu and Yaofeng Zhu
Materials 2026, 19(5), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19050873 - 26 Feb 2026
Abstract
The incorporation of abundant natural bamboo fiber (BF) into biodegradable polymers has emerged as a promising strategy to develop environmentally friendly materials. However, the poor interfacial compatibility between BF and biodegradable polymers has led to reduced performance, especially deteriorated toughness, and has limited [...] Read more.
The incorporation of abundant natural bamboo fiber (BF) into biodegradable polymers has emerged as a promising strategy to develop environmentally friendly materials. However, the poor interfacial compatibility between BF and biodegradable polymers has led to reduced performance, especially deteriorated toughness, and has limited the practical applications of bamboo–plastic composites. In this study, a compatible modifier, polydopamine (PDA), was employed to modify the surface of natural BF, and poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT) bamboo–plastic composites were fabricated via melt blending. And then, a commercial multifunctional compatibilizer (AX8900) was introduced to further enhance the interfacial compatibility and physical properties of the composite. After adding 20 wt% modified BF and 2 wt% compatibilizer, the composite exhibited a better notch impact strength (9.7 kJ/m2) than that filled with unmodified BF (3.2 kJ/m2), indicating a substantial enhancement. This work provides a novel approach to produce friendly biodegradable composites utilizing natural cellulose resources. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 3982 KB  
Article
Advanced Silica Gel/Sulfonated Polymer Composites for Electric Vehicle Thermal Management by Sorption Technology
by Davide Palamara, Mengistu Gelaw, Emanuela Mastronardo, Andrea Frazzica, Candida Milone and Luigi Calabrese
Materials 2026, 19(3), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19030625 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 294
Abstract
This study explores novel silica gel/sulfonated polymer composite coatings for enhanced thermal management in electric vehicles via sorption technology. Leveraging the cost-effectiveness of silica gel as a filler and a readily available, water vapor-permeable sulfonated polymer as the matrix, we developed and characterized [...] Read more.
This study explores novel silica gel/sulfonated polymer composite coatings for enhanced thermal management in electric vehicles via sorption technology. Leveraging the cost-effectiveness of silica gel as a filler and a readily available, water vapor-permeable sulfonated polymer as the matrix, we developed and characterized these materials. Mechanical assessments revealed varied performance: coatings with lower silica gel content (80 and 85 wt%) demonstrated suitable scratch resistance (damage width ~1100 µm at 1300 g load) and superior impact resistance (damage diameter ~2.4 mm). Pull-off adhesion strengths for these batches were 1.26 MPa and 1.36 MPa, respectively, though higher filler loading (90 and 95 wt%) led to a ~30% reduction and a shift to cohesive failure for high-filler-content batches. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed thermal stability up to 280 °C. Adsorption studies revealed that the composite coating with 95 wt% of silica gel achieved the highest water uptake (just under 30 wt%), with all batches exhibiting capacities comparable to commercial adsorbents. This comprehensive characterization confirms that these composites offer a compelling balance of mechanical robustness, reliable adhesion, and high adsorption efficiency, positioning them as promising, cost-effective solutions for EV thermal management. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 3588 KB  
Article
Durable and Robust Janus Membranes with Asymmetric Wettability Based on Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride)/Polyvinyl Alcohol for Oil–Water Separation
by Yawen Chang, Ruihong Sun and Fujuan Liu
Materials 2026, 19(2), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020363 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 428
Abstract
With the acceleration of industrialization, the problems of water resource pollution and shortage caused by oil spills and industrial wastewater discharge have become increasingly severe, posing a major threat to ecological sustainable development. Therefore, efficient oil–water separation technology has become a key breakthrough [...] Read more.
With the acceleration of industrialization, the problems of water resource pollution and shortage caused by oil spills and industrial wastewater discharge have become increasingly severe, posing a major threat to ecological sustainable development. Therefore, efficient oil–water separation technology has become a key breakthrough to alleviate this crisis. In this study, Janus membranes with asymmetric wettability were prepared by layer-by-layer electrospinning. The influence of the thickness ratio between the hydrophobic layer and the hydrophilic layer on the mechanical properties, separation flux, and oil–water mixture efficiency of the Janus membranes was examined, and an optimized membrane configuration was determined: the optimal thickness ratio between hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers was 4:6. Under these conditions, the fracture stress of the fiber membranes reached 99% MPa, the fracture strain was 55.63 ± 4.77%, the separation flux values were 1888.22 and 1042.66 L m−2 h−1 for the oil–water mixture and water-in-oil emulsion, respectively, with the separation efficiencies all exceeding 99%. After 50 cycles of separation for two different oil-in-water emulsions, the separation flux and separation efficiency of the optimal sample remained relatively stable, demonstrating strong practicability. In general, the Janus fiber membranes met the expected requirements, laying a good foundation for future applications in oil–water separation, floating oil collection in water, and other fields. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop