Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Polymers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 9625

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Fei Han

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Life Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Interests: stimuli-responsive polymers; hydrogels; wearables; health monitoring; colorimetric sensors; anti counterfeiting

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The application and characterization of polymer composites has witnessed significant growth and innovation in recent years. This multidisciplinary domain encompasses the design, fabrication, testing, and utilization of polymer composites across various industries, including the aerospace, automotive, construction, renewable energy, biomedical industries, among many others. Characterization plays a pivotal role in understanding and optimizing the performance of polymer composites. Advanced analytical techniques, including microscopy, spectroscopy, mechanical testing, and non-destructive evaluation, enable researchers to elucidate the structure–property relationships of composites. Polymer composites, consisting of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers, particles, or additives, offer a diverse array of material structures (films, coatings, and hydrogels), making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including soft robots, wearable devices, energy storage materials, artificial skins, and sensors. Future research directions may include smart and multifunctional composites and novel applications in emerging technologies. This dynamic field offers exciting opportunities for researchers, educators, and industry professionals to shape the future of materials and technology.

Dr. Fei Han
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

polymer composites
polymer matrix
polymer characterization
multifunctional composites
wearable electronics
sensors
hydrogels

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.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 10974 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mercury Adsorption by Ca-Based Shell-Type Polymers Synthesized by Self-Assembly Mineralization

by Yang Peng, Chuxuan Zhang, Xiaomin Li, Tianyi Feng and Xun Gong

Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3454; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243454 - 10 Dec 2024

Viewed by 278

Abstract

Adsorption is one of the most promising strategies for heavy metal removal. For Hg(II) removal, mineralized Ca-based shell-type self-assembly beads (MCABs) using alginate as organic polymer template were synthesized in this work. The adsorbent preparation consists of gelation of a Ca-based spherical polymer template (CAB) and rate-controlled self-assembly mineralization in bicarbonate solution with various concentrations. The comparative study demonstrates that 1% (MCAB-1) is the optimal concentration of bicarbonate. Based on this condition, the maximum adsorption capacity (48 ± 4 mg/g) of MCAB-1 was observed at pH = 5 in a batch test, which was 2.67 times more than that of the unmodified one, CAB, at 18 ± 1 mg/g. Long-duration (10 h) adsorption tests showed that MCAB-1 exhibited remarkable performance stability and anti-wear ability (43.2% removal efficiency and 74.3% mass retention, compared to 2.7% and 38.6% for CAB at pH = 3, respectively). The morphology determination showed that a shell-type porous amorphous carbonate layer was formed at the surface of the organic polymer template by rate-controlled self-assembly mineralization. This transition not only promotes the pore structure and activated cation binding functional sites, but also improves the anti-wear ability of materials effectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 10313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flexural Behavior of Innovative Glass Fiber-Reinforced Composite Beams Reinforced with Gypsum-Based Composites

by Yiwen Liu, Bo Su and Tianyu Zhang

Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3327; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233327 - 27 Nov 2024

Viewed by 443

Abstract

Glass Fiber-Reinforced Composite (GFRP) has found widespread use in engineering structures due to its lightweight construction, high strength, and design flexibility. However, pure GFRP beams exhibit weaknesses in terms of stiffness, stability, and local compressive strength, which compromise their bending properties. In addressing these limitations, this study introduces innovative square GFRP beams infused with gypsum-based composites (GBIGCs). Comprehensive experiments and theoretical analyses have been conducted to explore their manufacturing process and bending characteristics. Initially, four types of GBIGC—namely, hollow GFRP beams, pure gypsum, steel-reinforced gypsum, and fiber-mixed gypsum-infused beams—were designed and fabricated for comparative analysis. Material tests were conducted to assess the coagulation characteristics of gypsum and its mechanical performance influenced by polyvinyl acetate fibers (PVAs). Subsequently, eight GFRP square beams (length: 1.5 m, section size: 150 mm × 150 mm) infused with different gypsum-based composites underwent four-point bending tests to determine their ultimate bending capacity and deflection patterns. The findings revealed that a 0.12% dosage of protein retarder effectively extends the coagulation time of gypsum, making it suitable for specimen preparation, with initial and final setting times of 113 min and 135 min, respectively. The ultimate bending load of PVA-mixed gypsum-infused GFRP beams is 203.84% higher than that of hollow beams, followed by pure gypsum and steel-reinforced gypsum, with increased values of 136.97% and 186.91%, respectively. The ultimate load values from the theoretical and experimental results showed good agreement, with an error within 7.68%. These three types of GBIGCs with significantly enhanced flexural performance can be filled with different materials to meet specific load-bearing requirements for various scenarios. Their improved flexural strength and lightweight characteristics make GBIGCs well suited for applications such as repairing roof beams, light prefabricated frames, coastal and offshore buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 11223 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Yuyan Chen, Hanwen Xu, Yuhang Liu, Qiuting Fu, Pingling Zhang, Jie Zhou, Hongyu Dong and Xiaodong Yan

Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3317; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233317 - 27 Nov 2024

Viewed by 377

Abstract

Film-forming agents are key ingredients in achieving long-lasting and effective sun protection by sunscreens. However, studies on the synergistic effects of film-forming agents with different properties as well as the interaction between film-forming agents and powders are scarce, restricting the development of sunscreens with strong ultraviolet (UV)-shielding effects. Herein, we innovatively adopt polysiloxane-15 as the soft film, trimethylsiloxysilicate as the hard film, and vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer as the functional powder to construct a co-assembled sunscreen film, and we investigate the property-enhancing effects of the sunscreen film as well as the interaction between the silicone polymer-based film-forming agents and functional powder therein. The results show that structural similarity is essential to generating film-forming agent–powder interactions, which primarily enhance the Si−O bond binding energy, thereby enhancing the lasting protection effect of sunscreens. In addition, the inter-component interaction of the co-assembled sunscreen film inhibits the agglomeration of sunscreen paste to facilitate the formation of a homogeneous film, endowing the sunscreen with excellent UV protection abilities, with the sun protection factor (SPF) and protection factor of UVA (PFA) values increased by 61.58 and 43.84%, respectively. This work offers novel insights into the optimization of film-forming agent properties and the development of durable and efficient sunscreens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flexible Ti₃C₂T_x-Polyurethane Electrodes for Versatile Wearable Applications

by Qiaohang Guo, Kepei Chen, Wei Yu, Man Peng, Nuozhou Yi, Zhen Wang, Peidi Zhou, Kaihuai Yang, Fei Han and Mingcen Weng

Polymers 2024, 16(18), 2623; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16182623 - 17 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1029

Abstract

With the development of science and technology, wearable electronics are increasingly widely used in medical, environmental monitoring, and other fields. Thus, the demand for flexible electrodes is increasing. The two-dimensional material Ti₃C₂T_x has attracted much attention in the manufacture of flexible electrodes due to its excellent mechanical and electrical properties. However, the brittleness of pure Ti₃C₂T_x films has become a major obstacle for their use as flexible electrodes in wearable devices. Therefore, solving the brittleness problem of flexible electrodes based on Ti₃C₂T_x while maintaining the excellent performance of Ti₃C₂T_x has become an urgent problem. To solve this problem, Ti₃C₂T_x was compounded with waterborne polyurethane (WPU), and a Ti₃C₂T_x-WPU composite film with a hierarchical structure was constructed by evaporation-assisted self-assembly. The Ti₃C₂T_x-WPU composite film not only retains the excellent electrical conductivity of Ti₃C₂T_x (100 S m⁻¹) but also has flexibility (20 MJ m⁻³). Furthermore, the Ti₃C₂T_x-WPU composite film is applied to functional devices such as contact pressure sensors and non-contact proximity sensors. Finally, the Ti₃C₂T_x-WPU composite film wearable device demonstrates its practical application potential in the field of wearable devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toward the Production of Hydroxyapatite/Poly(Ether-Ether-Ketone) (PEEK) Biocomposites: Exploring the Physicochemical, Mechanical, Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Properties

by Meirilany Rozeno Costa, José Adeilton Carvalho Filho, Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna, Gleydis Manalig Pereira Dantas, Ana Cristina Figueiredo de Melo Costa and Nadja Maria da Silva Oliveira

Polymers 2024, 16(17), 2520; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172520 - 5 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 948

Abstract

The development of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) biocomposites has been extensively studied for bone repair applications due to the synergistic properties of the involved materials. In this study, we aimed to develop HAp/PEEK biocomposites using high-energy ball milling, with HAp concentrations (20%, 40%, and 60% w/v) in PEEK, to evaluate their physicochemical, mechanical, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial properties for potential applications in Tissue Engineering (TE). The biocomposites were characterized by structure, morphology, apparent porosity, diametral compression strength, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity. The study results demonstrated that the HAp/PEEK biocomposites were successfully synthesized. The C2 biocomposite, containing 40% HAp, stood out due to the optimal distribution of HAp particles in the PEEK matrix, resulting in higher compression strength (246 MPa) and a homogeneous microstructure. It exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, with no cytotoxicity observed. These properties make the C2 biocomposite promising for regenerative medicine applications, combining mechanical strength, bioactivity, and biocompatibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 2526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Floating Polydopamine/Polystyrene Composite Porous Structure via a NaCl Template Method for Solar-Driven Interfacial Water Evaporation

by Xiao Wang, Zhen Li, Xiaojing Wu, Bingjie Liu, Tian Tian, Yi Ding, Haibo Zhang, Yuanli Li, Ye Liu and Chunai Dai

Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2231; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152231 - 5 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1226

Abstract

Solar energy, as a clean and renewable energy source, holds significant promise for addressing water shortages. Utilizing solar energy for water evaporation is seen as an effective solution in this regard. While many existing interfacial photothermal water evaporation systems rely on nanoparticles or graphene as photothermal or support materials, this study introduced polydopamine (PDA) as a photothermal material due to its environmental friendliness and excellent photon absorption characteristics that closely match the solar spectrum. Polystyrene (PS) was also introduced as a support material for its porous structure and density similar to water, enabling it to float on water. The resulting PS-PDA composite porous structure solar evaporator exhibited a photothermal conversion efficiency comparable to nanoparticles (over 75%), yet with lower production costs and minimal environmental impact. This innovative approach offers a scalable solution for water-scarce regions, providing a cost-effective and efficient means to address water scarcity. The use of PDA and PS in this context highlights the potential for utilizing common materials in novel ways to meet pressing environmental challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 7393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Hydrogen Barrier Performance of Modified Polyamide 6 Lining of IV Hydrogen Storage Tank with Graphene

by Jin Li, Xiaokou Zhao, Jianguo Liang, Chunjiang Zhao, Ning Feng, Guanyu Guo and Zhengze Zhou

Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2185; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152185 - 31 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1408

Abstract

The polymer liner of the hydrogen storage cylinder was studied to investigate better hydrogen storage capacity in Type-IV cylinders. Molecular dynamics methods were used to simulate the adsorption and diffusion processes of hydrogen in a graphene-filled polyamide 6 (PA6) system. The solubility and diffusion characteristics of hydrogen in PA6 systems filled with different filler ratios (3 wt%, 4 wt%, 5 wt%, 6 wt%, and 7 wt%) were studied under working pressures (0.1 MPa, 35 MPa, 52 MPa, and 70 MPa). The effects of filler ratio, temperature, and pressure on hydrogen diffusion were analyzed. The results show that at atmospheric pressure when the graphene content reaches 5 wt%, its permeability coefficient is as low as 2.44 × 10⁻¹³ cm³·cm/(cm²·s·Pa), which is a 54.6% reduction compared to PA6. At 358 K and 70 MPa, the diffusion coefficient of the 5 wt% graphene/PA6 composite system is 138% higher than that at 298 K and 70 MPa. With increasing pressure, the diffusion coefficients of all materials generally decrease linearly. Among them, pure PA6 has the largest diffusion coefficient, while the 4 wt% graphene/PA6 composite system has the smallest diffusion coefficient. Additionally, the impact of FFV (free volume fraction) on the barrier properties of the material was studied, and the movement trajectory of H₂ in the composite system was analyzed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3785 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of an Antibacterial Branched Polyamide 6 via Hydrolytic Ring-Opening Co-Polymerization of ε-Caprolactam and Lysine Derivative

by Xiaoyu Mao, Wei Liu, Zeyang Li, Shan Mei and Baoning Zong

Polymers 2024, 16(14), 1997; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16141997 - 12 Jul 2024

Viewed by 892

Abstract

In this study, we successfully realized the hydrolytic ring-opening co-polymerization of ε-caprolactam (CPL) and lysine derivative. A novel antibacterial modified polyamide 6 with a branched structure was obtained after the quaternization of the co-polymers. The co-polymers exhibited a significant increase in zero shear viscosity, melt index and storage modulus at the low frequency region. The quaternized co-polymers displayed thermal properties different from pure PA6 and good mechanical (tensile) properties. The antibacterial activity of the quaternized co-polymers depends on the quaternary ammonium groups’ incorporated content. At 6.2 mol% incorporation of quaternary ammonium groups, the strong antibacterial activity has been introduced to the co-polymers. As the quaternary ammonium groups approached 10.1 mol%, the antibacterial polymers demonstrated nearly complete killing of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative). The above research results provided a new approach for the study of high-performance nylon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 15074 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Impact of Reinforcing Filler Systems on Devulcanizate Composites

by Rounak Ghosh, Christian Mani, Roland Krafczyk, Rupert Schnell, Auke Talma, Anke Blume and Wilma K. Dierkes

Polymers 2024, 16(11), 1448; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16111448 - 21 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1359

Abstract

Composites revolutionize material performance, fostering innovation and efficiency in diverse sectors. Elastomer-based polymeric composites are crucial for applications requiring superior mechanical strength and durability. Widely applied in automotives, aerospace, construction, and consumer goods, they excel under extreme conditions. Composites based on recycled rubber, fortified with reinforcing fillers, represent a sustainable material innovation by repurposing discarded rubber. The integration of reinforcing agents enhances the strength and resilience of this composite, and the recycled polymeric matrix offers an eco-friendly alternative to virgin elastomers, reducing their environmental impact. Devulcanized rubber, with inherently lower mechanical properties than virgin rubber, requires enhancement of its quality for reuse in a circular economy: considerable amounts of recycled tire rubber can only be applied in new tires if the property profile comes close to the one of the virgin rubber. To achieve this, model passenger car tire and whole tire rubber granulates were transformed into elastomeric composites through optimized devulcanization and blending with additional fillers like carbon black and silica–silane. These fillers were chosen as they are commonly used in tire compounding, but they lose their reactivity during their service life and the devulcanization process. Incorporation of 20% (w/w) additional filler enhanced the strength of the devulcanizate composites by up to 15%. Additionally, increased silane concentration significantly further improved the tensile strength, Payne effect, and dispersion by enhancing the polymer–filler interaction through improved silanization. Higher silane concentrations reduced elongation at break and increased crosslink density, as it leads to a stable filler–polymer network. The optimal concentration of a silica–silane filler system for a devulcanizate was found to be 20% silica with 3% silane, showing the best property profile. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Application and Characterization of Polymer Composites

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI