Environment-Friendly Polymers and Composites: Synthesis, Processing and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, growing environmental awareness has motivated researchers from both industry and academia to replace petroleum-derived polymers and additives with bioplastics by developing environmentally friendly thermoplastic polymers from bio-based and biodegradable raw materials. The use of petroleum-based raw materials for the synthesis of starting monomers is also a strong limit for thermoset matrices, which are often used for the production of composites. The synthesis of bio-based monomers involves the use of natural sources such as vegetable oils, natural acids, lignin, and so forth. Recently, innovative feedstocks obtained from food scraps, algae biomass and industrial or municipal waste have been used for the production of bio-polymers, thus allowing the valorization of the waste. New procedures for the synthesis of precursors from natural renewable resources have also recently emerged which aim to decrease or remove the use of organic solvents, thus developing a truly green approach.

Hence, polymers obtained from renewable resources are becoming increasingly important as highly sustainable, eco-efficient, and biodegradable products. Due to the rapid rate of development, bio-based polymers are expected to be seen in commodity applications in the near future.

This Special Issue aims to investigate the synthesis, processing and applications of bio-based polymers. Both original contributions and comprehensive reviews are welcome. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Synthesis of bio-polymers;
• Classification of raw materials and waste valorization;
• Analysis of bio-polymers;
• Physics of bio-based polymers;
• Processing and performances of bio-based polymers;
• Additive manufacturing of bio-based materials;
• Biodegradability of polymeric materials;
• Bio-composites;
• Recycling of bio-based thermoplastics and thermosets;
• Bio-based additives for polymers. 

Dr. Francesca Ferrari
Guest Editor

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