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Polymers
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Challenges and Trends in Polymer Composites—2nd Edition
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Challenges and Trends in Polymer Composites—2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 3143

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alexandrina Nan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: synthesis and structural investigation of polymers and their composites; synthesis and characterization of oxide metal nanoparticles; synthesis and characterization of magnetic core-shell nanoparticles based on magnetite and polymers; micro and nanostructures based on new functionalized polymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer composites are multi-phase materials that combine the polymer matrix with other organic or inorganic materials, resulting in synergistic mechanical properties that cannot be achieved using either component alone.  Enhanced interest in lightweight, low density, toughness, stiffness, thermal behavior, low cost, excellent chemical and mechanical stability and other specific properties depending on the desired application have led to significant research on composite materials based on polymers. Today, composite materials based on polymers are at the forefront of material technology, with their performance and cost enhanced for ultra-demanding applications and various sectors such as the automotive industry, aerospace industry, aeronautics, agriculture, wastewater treatment, biomedicine, manufacturing, construction and the marine sector. For example, in research, one area of research focuses on the development of multifunctional composites with more than one property, tailored as per the design requirements and in order to achieve low density.

This Special Issue offers a platform for discussion that highlights recent developments in composite materials based on polymers, including manufacturing techniques, characterization, structure/property relationships, and their applications.

Dr. Alexandrina Nan
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
  • polymer composites
  • polymer composites characterization
  • polymer composites in electronics
  • polymer composites in wastewater treatment
  • polymer composites in agriculture
  • polymer composites in civil construction
  • polymer composites in biomedical application
  • polymer composites in catalysis
  • other application of polymer composites

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3136 KiB  
Article
Lignin Reinforcement in Polybutylene Succinate Copolymers
by Nnaemeka Ewurum and Armando G. McDonald
Polymers 2025, 17(2), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17020194 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 460
Abstract
This study investigated the valorization of industrial lignin for producing biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBS)–lignin copolymers. PBS was blended with varying lignin contents (0–45 wt. %) and crosslinked/grafted using dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The preparation of the copolymers by reactive extrusion was successful, with mechanical, [...] Read more.
This study investigated the valorization of industrial lignin for producing biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBS)–lignin copolymers. PBS was blended with varying lignin contents (0–45 wt. %) and crosslinked/grafted using dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The preparation of the copolymers by reactive extrusion was successful, with mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties comprehensively analyzed. Lignin addition decreased tensile strength but improved stiffness (modulus) and thermal stability. Crosslinking with DCP improved the interfacial adhesion between PBS and lignin, resulting in better flexural performance at moderate lignin levels. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that lignin initially improved the crystallization temperature, but hindered it at higher concentrations due to its rigid, aromatic structure. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed poor interfacial adhesion in PBS–lignin blends, but the surface morphology improved in crosslinked PBS–lignin copolymers, with less phase separation observed. An optimal lignin concentration appeared to depend on the property of interest. While 30% lignin provided the best improvement in flexural strength, 20% lignin offered a more balanced enhancement for most properties without the severe reduction in tensile strength observed at higher lignin contents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Trends in Polymer Composites—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 5333 KiB  
Article
Ultrasonic Effect on the Growth of Crystals from Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions on Polymer Substrates: The Role of Isotopic Composition of Liquid
by Nikolai F. Bunkin, Polina N. Bolotskova, Sergey V. Gudkov, Valery V. Voronov, Vladimir I. Pustovoy, Valery N. Sorokovikov, Oleg T. Kamenev and Yulia V. Novakovskaya
Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3580; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243580 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 500
Abstract
The peculiarities of the crystal formation from supersaturated aqueous solutions of CuSO4 on polymer substrates were studied using X-ray diffractometry. During the crystal formation, the test solutions were irradiated with one or two counter-propagating ultrasonic beams. Test solutions were prepared using natural [...] Read more.
The peculiarities of the crystal formation from supersaturated aqueous solutions of CuSO4 on polymer substrates were studied using X-ray diffractometry. During the crystal formation, the test solutions were irradiated with one or two counter-propagating ultrasonic beams. Test solutions were prepared using natural deionized water with a deuterium content of 157 ± 1 ppm. The other liquid used was deuterium-depleted water with a deuterium content of 3 ppm. It was shown that irradiation with one/two ultrasonic beams resulted in drastic changes in the structure of the crystal deposit formed on the polymer substrate in the case when natural deionized water was chosen for preparing the supersaturated solution of CuSO4. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Trends in Polymer Composites—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 2785 KiB  
Article
Activated Carbon and Biochar Derived from Sargassum sp. Applied in Polyurethane-Based Materials Development
by Julie Mallouhi, Miklós Varga, Emőke Sikora, Kitty Gráczer, Olivér Bánhidi, Sarra Gaspard, Francesca Goudou, Béla Viskolcz, Emma Szőri-Dorogházi and Béla Fiser
Polymers 2024, 16(20), 2914; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16202914 - 16 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1249
Abstract
Activated carbon (AC) and biochar (BC) are porous materials with large surface areas and widely used in environmental and industrial applications. In this study, different types of AC and BC samples were produced from Sargassum sp. by a chemical activation and pyrolysis process [...] Read more.
Activated carbon (AC) and biochar (BC) are porous materials with large surface areas and widely used in environmental and industrial applications. In this study, different types of AC and BC samples were produced from Sargassum sp. by a chemical activation and pyrolysis process and compared to commercial activated carbon samples. All samples were characterized using various techniques to understand their structure and functionalities. The metal content of the samples was characterized by using an inductively coupled optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). A toxicity test was applied to investigate the effect of AC/BC on organisms, where Sinapis alba seed and Escherichia coli bacteria-based toxicity tests were used. The results revealed that the samples did not negatively affect these two organisms. Thus, it is safe to use them in various applications. Therefore, the samples were tested as fillers in polyurethane composites and, thus, polyurethane-AC/BC samples were prepared. The amounts of AC/BC mixed into the polyurethane formulation were 1%, 2%, and 3%. Mechanical and acoustic properties of these composites were analyzed, showing that by adding the AC/BC to the system an increase in the compression strength for all the samples was achieved. A similar effect of the AC/BC was noticed in the acoustic measurements, where adding AC/BC enhanced the sound adsorption coefficient (α) for all composite materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Trends in Polymer Composites—2nd Edition)
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9 pages, 6287 KiB  
Article
Chemical Activation Boosted Interface Interaction between Poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) Film and Silver Coating
by Hu Wang, Xiuqi Guo, Xuelei Li, Chenliang Gong and Yongqing Zhao
Polymers 2024, 16(19), 2730; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16192730 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 604
Abstract
To enhance the interfacial adhesion between poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP) film and functional coatings, such as silver (Ag) coating, among others, the surface activation of FEP film has to be performed. Among various activation strategies, chemical activation, such as using naphthalene sodium system, is one [...] Read more.
To enhance the interfacial adhesion between poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP) film and functional coatings, such as silver (Ag) coating, among others, the surface activation of FEP film has to be performed. Among various activation strategies, chemical activation, such as using naphthalene sodium system, is one of the most efficient methods. However, the effect of chemical activation on the interface interaction between the activated FEP and functional coating is rarely investigated. Herein, the FEP film was activated by naphthalene sodium solution under different conditions, and then the Ag layer was coated onto its surface by vacuum Ag deposition. Based on experimental results and density function theory (DFT) calculation, it is indicated that oxygen-containing functional groups (such as C=O and C–OH groups), introduced onto the surface of FEP by the chemical activation, play a key role in boosting the interface interaction, which is due to the strong interaction between the oxygen-containing functional groups and Ag atoms. In addition, the concentration of naphthalene sodium solution, activation time, and winding speed of Ag- deposition can have a significant impact on the microstructures of Ag coating and the interfacial adhesion between the activated FEP and Ag coating. Under the conditions of high concentration (0.9 M), medium activation time (15 min), and high winding speed (0.8 m min−1), there is the best interface adhesion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Trends in Polymer Composites—2nd Edition)
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