Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.0
4.7
Journals
Polymers
Special Issues
Advanced Study on Natural Polymers and Their Applications
share announcement

Advanced Study on Natural Polymers and Their Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 2727

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiao-Feng Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710129, China
Interests: natural polymers; cellulose; lignin; hemicelulose; nanaomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Arn Mignon

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Smart Polymeric Biomaterials—Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering @ Campus Group T Leuven, KU Leuven, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Interests: smart polymers; electrospinning; wound dressings; tendon repair; alginate; biomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural polymers include polysaccharides, lignin, proteins, nucleic acids, and so on, which are substances made up of large molecules, or macromolecules, that occur naturally in living organisms. These polymers play essential roles in the structures and function of cells and tissues, and they have a wide range of applications such as medicine, agriculture, and materials science. Natural polymers have been modified or used as raw materials for the production of biodegradable polymers and biobased polymers or chemicals, such as bioplastics, rubbers, nanofibers, adhesives, and hydrogels. For example, proteins can be modified to create biocompatible materials for tissue engineering, while cellulose can be used to produce biodegradable plastics. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in utilizing natural polymers for various applications due to their biodegradability, abundance, and sustainability. Their unique properties and sustainability make them an attractive alternative to synthetic polymers. Further research and development in this field can lead to innovative solutions and advancements. Researchers are exploring ways to modify and process these polymers to enhance their properties and expand their industrial applications. Additionally, the development of natural polymer-based materials can help reduce dependence on petroleum-based polymers and contribute to a more environmentally friendly future.

Dr. Xiao-Feng Sun
Dr. Arn Mignon
Guest Editors

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

  • polysaccharides
  • lignin
  • proteins
  • isolation
  • processing
  • characterization
  • modification

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 (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

11 pages, 6568 KiB  
Article
Polyhydroxybutyrate as a Novel Biopolymer for Dental Restorative Materials: Biological and Morphological Analysis
by Cigdem Atalayin Ozkaya, Beliz Ertan, Gizem Kaftan Ocal, Guliz Armagan, Gokhan Gungor, Murat Demirbilek, Huseyin Tezel, Vincenzo Notaro, Nicola Scotti and Andrea Baldi
Polymers 2025, 17(3), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030313 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 456
Abstract
Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biopolymer produced by bacteria. This study aimed to implement the production process of experimental medical-grade PHB and to evaluate its morphology and biocompatibility compared to conventional resin-based composites (RBCs). PHB raw material was produced via biological process and then [...] Read more.
Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biopolymer produced by bacteria. This study aimed to implement the production process of experimental medical-grade PHB and to evaluate its morphology and biocompatibility compared to conventional resin-based composites (RBCs). PHB raw material was produced via biological process and then the membrane was generated via electrospinning specifically for this study and imaged with Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MTS assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of PHB compared to other materials. Test groups included two packable resin composites (Point 4-Kerr, G-aenial anterior-GC), two flowable resin composites (Filtek Ultimate Flowable-3M ESPE, Nova Compo HF-Imicryl), a compomer (Nova Compomer-Imicryl), a fissure-sealant (Fissured Nova Plus-Imicryl), and the PHB membrane (Innovaplast Biotechnology Inc., Eskisehir, Turkey). A control group consisting of cells without any test material was also produced. To perform the MTS assay, disc-shaped specimens of the aforementioned materials were prepared and then incubated with mouse fibroblast cells (L929) for 24 and 48 h. Micro-CT and SEM images revealed a homogeneous and fibrillary structure of the PHB. MTS assay revealed the highest cell viability in the PHB, Nova Compomer, and Fissured Nova Plus groups after 24 h. PHB and Nova Compomer showed the highest viability rates at 48 h while other RBCs had rates below 25% (p < 0.05). Considering the cell viability data and its fibrillary structure, from a biological point of view, PHB seems a promising biopolymer that might have applications in the field of dental restorative materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Study on Natural Polymers and Their Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 793 KiB  
Article
Effect of Hydrocolloids on Penetration Tests, Sensory Evaluation, and Syneresis of Milk Pudding
by Hong-Ting Victor Lin, Jenn-Shou Tsai, Hsiao-Hui Liao and Wen-Chieh Sung
Polymers 2025, 17(3), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030300 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 447
Abstract
This study evaluated how added gums, starch amounts, and sucrose levels affect the texture, sensory acceptability, and syneresis of milk puddings. The puddings were prepared with four ingredients, namely 0.3% polysaccharide (κ,ι-carrageenan, gellan gum, gelatin, or agar), 2.5–7.5% sucrose, 1–5% modified waxy corn [...] Read more.
This study evaluated how added gums, starch amounts, and sucrose levels affect the texture, sensory acceptability, and syneresis of milk puddings. The puddings were prepared with four ingredients, namely 0.3% polysaccharide (κ,ι-carrageenan, gellan gum, gelatin, or agar), 2.5–7.5% sucrose, 1–5% modified waxy corn starch, and whole milk. The physical and sensory properties were assessed through measurements of gel strength, breaking point, breaking force, rigidity, and hedonic testing. Results show that syneresis increased in all milk puddings during two weeks of refrigerated storage. Among the five polysaccharides, agar and κ-carrageenan showed the most significant effect on gel rigidity and strength, while gellan gum and ι-carrageenan were more effective at preventing syneresis compared to three commercial milk pudding products after 14 days of storage. As modified corn starch concentration increased (1 to 5%), gel strength, breaking force, and rigidity decreased. Lower modified waxy corn starch concentrations (5% to 1%) led to reduced syneresis when stored at 4 °C for 7 and 14 days. Sucrose significantly increased gel strength and breaking force in puddings containing κ-carrageenan, gellan gum, and agar. Gellan gum improved overall pudding acceptability. Based on sensory and syneresis data, the most acceptable milk pudding formulation contained 5% sucrose, 0.3% gellan gum, and 1% modified waxy corn starch. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Study on Natural Polymers and Their Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4074 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Magnetic Hemicellulosic Composite Microspheres and Adsorption of Copper Ions
by Muhammad Sheraz, Xiao-Feng Sun, Yongke Wang, Adeena Siddiqui, Jiayi Chen and Le Sun
Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3460; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243460 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 705
Abstract
In this study, the fabrication of magnetic hemicellulosic composite microspheres and the adsorption of copper ions are explored. The microspheres were prepared by the micro-emulsion technique, using Fe3O4 nanoparticles and hemicellulose extracted from wheat straw with the ionic liquid B[mim]Cl [...] Read more.
In this study, the fabrication of magnetic hemicellulosic composite microspheres and the adsorption of copper ions are explored. The microspheres were prepared by the micro-emulsion technique, using Fe3O4 nanoparticles and hemicellulose extracted from wheat straw with the ionic liquid B[mim]Cl as a solvent. Fe3O4 nanoparticles, synthesized through coprecipitation, were evenly encapsulated within the hemicellulosic microspheres. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles measured 10–15 nm in size, while the microspheres had an average diameter of about 20 μm and displayed a saturation magnetization of 35.95 emu/g. The optimal conditions for copper adsorption by the microspheres were found to be a pH of 5.0, a temperature of 323 K, and an initial copper ion concentration of 80 mg/L, resulting in an adsorption capacity of 85.65 mg/g after 24 h. The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, and the Langmuir isotherm suggested a monomolecular layer adsorption mechanism, with a theoretical maximum capacity of 149.25 mg/g. In summary, the magnetic hemicellulosic microspheres exhibited considerable adsorption potential and favorable recycling capabilities for copper ions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Study on Natural Polymers and Their Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3568 KiB  
Article
Recycling of Bovine Hair Waste Through the Design of a Compatibilizing Agent for Sustainable Thermoplastic Starch-Untreated Bovine Hair Composites
by Luz Elena Mora-Maldonado, Anayansi Estrada-Monje, Roberto Zitzumbo-Guzmán, Isis Rodríguez-Sánchez, Leonardo Baldenegro-Pérez, Claudia Ivone Piñón-Balderrama, Saddys Rodríguez-Llamazares and Erasto Armando Zaragoza-Contreras
Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3432; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233432 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 584
Abstract
Bovine hair waste was chemically modified to obtain a coupling agent (CA) for the compatibilization of thermoplastic starch (TPS)-unmodified bovine hair waste (UH) composites. The composites processed with CA presented improved tensile strength (3.5 MPa) compared to TPS–UH composites without CA (1.25 MPa). [...] Read more.
Bovine hair waste was chemically modified to obtain a coupling agent (CA) for the compatibilization of thermoplastic starch (TPS)-unmodified bovine hair waste (UH) composites. The composites processed with CA presented improved tensile strength (3.5 MPa) compared to TPS–UH composites without CA (1.25 MPa). An interaction mechanism to describe the improvement in mechanical properties and thermal stability was postulated based on Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and density functional theory (DFT). In addition, optical and electron microscopy showed that CA favored the adhesion of UH to TPS. Global results suggested the formation of a CA–UH network that interacts with the TPS matrix. Obtaining composites from waste from the tanning industry can contribute to the development of a more responsible and sustainable industry and represents an opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of one of the most important industries globally. It is worth mentioning that this research is aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations, which promotes sustainable industrialization and the promotion of innovation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Study on Natural Polymers and Their Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop