Polymeric Materials for Wastewater Treatment Applications, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Water is indispensable to the functioning of most known life forms, and good water quality is essential to human health, social and economic development, and ecosystem functioning. Nonetheless, population growth has led to the degradation and depletion of freshwater resources around the world. Under these circumstances, ensuring sufficient and safe water supplies for everyone is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030. For this goal to be achieved, the development and implementation of appropriate and efficient wastewater treatments that make it possible to reduce water pollution are the major challenges.

The application of polymers and polymeric materials in wastewater treatment is a research field that has developed greatly. Conventional and novel approaches have been used by researchers from different areas, who have demonstrated that polymers and polymeric materials may have an important role in the removal of pollutants of different origins and natures from wastewater, in the disposal of sludge, in the recycling of materials, in the improved efficiency and economy of wastewater, etc.

In view of the relevant contributions that polymers and polymeric materials may make in the conservation of the aquatic environment—namely, by their application in wastewater treatment—this Special Issue aims to publish original research and review papers within this area. Scientific contributions on any aspect related to the utilization of polymers and polymeric materials—either synthetic or natural—in the treatment or purification of wastewater are welcome.

Given the large spectrum of materials, types of pollution, and treatment processes, this is a widely inclusive Special Issue. Subject areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coagulation–flocculation;
• Membrane processes;
• Ion exchange;
• Adsorption;
• New polymeric (nano)materials’ production, characterization, or utilization;
• Surface modification and/or functionalization;
• Molecularly imprinted polymers;
• Polymer catalysts for water treatment;
• Polymeric blends, hybrids, or (nano)composites;
• Combined or integrated treatments;
• Novel strategies for efficiency enhancement;
• Sustainable wastewater treatment;
• Management of sludge from wastewater treatment;
• Circular economy of water.

Prof. Dr. Marta Otero
Dr. Ricardo N. Coimbra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

• polymer applications
• wastewater treatment
• advanced water treatments
• organic and inorganic contaminants
• emerging contaminants
• eutrophication mitigation
• microbiological contaminants
• polymeric materials
• polymer composites
• smart polymers
• polymer-based solutions