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Polymers
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Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications
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Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2024) | Viewed by 12526

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Miryam Criado-Gonzalez

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Guest Editor
POLYMAT - Basque Center for Macromolecular Design & Engineering (UPV/EHU) Avenida de Tolosa, 72 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
Interests: multilayer films and hydrogels for biomedical applications; supramolecular peptide hydrogels; conducting polymers and peptides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Luis Rojo del Olmo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros and Interdisciplinary, Platform for Sustainable Plastics towards a Circular Economy, Calle Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Interests: polymers; bacterial resistance; biomaterials; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biopolymers are of great interest among researchers in the field of polymers due to their intrinsic properties, i.e., biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, which make them ideal body- and environment-friendly materials.  However, in some instances, these biopolymers lack functionality, making it necessary to reinforce the natural polymer matrix with inorganic and/or synthetic organic materials that differ in composition or morphology, leading to biopolymer-based composites. The multiple variables to tune during the composite formation, such as the nature of the matrix, the shape, proportion and kind of charge, the interaction between all components, and the additive manufacturing process, can give rise to a plethora of composites materials with specific physical, chemical, mechanical and biological properties to be employed in a wide range of applications, i.e., tissue engineering scaffolds, drug carriers, sensors, energy-storage devices, anti-pollution membranes, food packaging, etc.

The scope of this Special Issue is to address the recent developments and applications of functional biopolymer-based composite materials, including fundamental structure–property relationships, preparation methods (conventional methods, electrospinning, 3D printing), simulation models, and advanced applications in biomedicine, energy, electronics, food, packaging, and environmental sustainability, among others.

Dr. Miryam Criado-Gonzalez
Dr. Luis Rojo del Olmo
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

  • natural polymers
  • biopolymers
  • composites
  • nanoparticles
  • fillers
  • biomedicine
  • energy
  • electronics
  • food packaging
  • environmental sustainability

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 8423 KiB  
Article
Thermoplastic Starch Biocomposite Films Reinforced with Nanocellulose from Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul Bagasse
by María Guadalupe Lomelí-Ramírez, Benjamín Reyes-Alfaro, Silvia Lizeth Martínez-Salcedo, María Magdalena González-Pérez, Manuel Alberto Gallardo-Sánchez, Gabriel Landázuri-Gómez, J. Jesús Vargas-Radillo, Tania Diaz-Vidal, José Guillermo Torres-Rendón, Emma Rebeca Macias-Balleza and Salvador García-Enriquez
Polymers 2023, 15(18), 3793; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym15183793 - 17 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2139
Abstract
In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), bleached cellulose nanofibers (bCNFs), and unbleached cellulose nanofibers (ubCNFs) isolated by acid hydrolysis from Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul bagasse, an agro-waste from the tequila industry, were used as reinforcements in a thermoplastic starch matrix to obtain [...] Read more.
In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), bleached cellulose nanofibers (bCNFs), and unbleached cellulose nanofibers (ubCNFs) isolated by acid hydrolysis from Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul bagasse, an agro-waste from the tequila industry, were used as reinforcements in a thermoplastic starch matrix to obtain environmentally friendly materials that can substitute contaminant polymers. A robust characterization of starting materials and biocomposites was carried out. Biocomposite mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties were evaluated, as well as color, crystallinity, morphology, rugosity, lateral texture, electrical conductivity, chemical identity, solubility, and water vapor permeability. Pulp fibers and nanocelluloses were analyzed via SEM, TEM, and AFM. The water vapor permeability (WVP) decreased by up to 20.69% with the presence of CNCs. The solubility decreases with the presence of CNFs and CNCs. The addition of CNCs and CNFs increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus and decreased the elongation at break. Biocomposites prepared with ubCNF showed the best tensile mechanical properties due to a better adhesion with the matrix. Images of bCNF-based biocomposites demonstrated that bCNFs are good reinforcing agents as the fibers were dispersed within the starch film and embedded within the matrix. Roughness increased with CNF content and decreased with CNC content. Films with CNCs did not show bacterial growth for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This study offers a new theoretical basis since it demonstrates that different proportions of bleached or unbleached nanofibers and nanocrystals can improve the properties of starch films. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications)
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12 pages, 1947 KiB  
Article
Films of Poly(Hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and Copper with Antibacterial Activity
by Mayte M. Quispe, María E. Villanueva, Guillermo J. Copello, Olivia V. López and Marcelo A. Villar
Polymers 2023, 15(13), 2907; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym15132907 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1092
Abstract
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, is a hydrophobic biopolymer with good mechanical and barrier properties. However, neat PHB is a semicrystalline polymer with a relative high degree of crystallinity and poor film properties. In this work, this biopolymer was plasticized with glycerol tributyrate and functionalized with [...] Read more.
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, is a hydrophobic biopolymer with good mechanical and barrier properties. However, neat PHB is a semicrystalline polymer with a relative high degree of crystallinity and poor film properties. In this work, this biopolymer was plasticized with glycerol tributyrate and functionalized with copper (II) sulfate, allowing us to obtain biodegradable antimicrobial flexible films. Films with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of copper (II) sulfate presented a higher roughness than neat PHB films. The presence of plasticizer significantly improved the copper sulfate diffusion process, which was evidenced by a greater inhibition halo for plasticized materials compared to unplasticized ones, at the same salt concentration. Plasticized PHB with 2.5% copper (II) sulfate inhibited both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Pseudomona aeruginosa) bacteria, as determined by the bacterial inhibition halo. In addition, neat PHB films and PHB containing copper (II) sulfate did not show in vitro cytotoxicity in the L-929 cell line. Thus, plasticized PHB functionalized with copper (II) sulfate can be used as biodegradable antimicrobial flexible films for different applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications)
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18 pages, 8012 KiB  
Article
New Hybrid Adsorbents Based on Polyaniline and Polypyrrole with Silicon Dioxide: Synthesis, Characterization, Kinetics, Equilibrium, and Thermodynamic Studies for the Removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenol
by Amina Bekhoukh, Mohamed Kiari, Imane Moulefera, Lilia Sabantina and Abdelghani Benyoucef
Polymers 2023, 15(9), 2032; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym15092032 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 1310
Abstract
In the current study, polyaniline and polypyrrole with silicon dioxide (PAni:PPy@SiO2) were combined to formulate a new adsorbent, which was examined using XRD, TEM, SEM, FTIR, TGA, and BET, and the adsorption kinetics were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy. The optical band [...] Read more.
In the current study, polyaniline and polypyrrole with silicon dioxide (PAni:PPy@SiO2) were combined to formulate a new adsorbent, which was examined using XRD, TEM, SEM, FTIR, TGA, and BET, and the adsorption kinetics were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy. The optical band gap was also evaluated. The electrochemical behavior was investigated using cyclic voltammograms. Moreover, experimental conditions were used to evaluate the 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) adsorption based on the pH, temperature, reaction time, and initial concentration. The analytical isotherm data were determined by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Sips, and Redlich–Peterson models. For the analysis of the kinetic data, the pseudo-first- and -second-order models and the intraparticle diffusion model were investigated. It was found that this new adsorbent possessed the highest adsorption efficiency after several regeneration cycles. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters of adsorption, such as entropy (ΔS), enthalpy (ΔH), and standard Gibbs were measured. These results suggest that the PAni:PPy backbone can generally be better applied for the elimination of 2,4-dichlorophenol by appropriately dispersing it over the surface of suitable SiO2. This search provides a novel way to develop separable, high-performance adsorbents for adsorbing organic contamination from wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications)
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20 pages, 7058 KiB  
Article
Development of Sustainable, Mechanically Strong, and Self-Healing Bio-Thermoplastic Elastomers Reinforced with Alginates
by Saul Utrera-Barrios, Ornella Ricciardi, Sergio González, Raquel Verdejo, Miguel Ángel López-Manchado and Marianella Hernández Santana
Polymers 2022, 14(21), 4607; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14214607 - 30 Oct 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2104
Abstract
New bio-thermoplastic elastomer composites with self-healing capacities based on epoxidized natural rubber and polycaprolactone blends reinforced with alginates were developed. This group of salts act as natural reinforcing fillers, increasing the tensile strength of the unfilled rubber from 5.6 MPa to 11.5 MPa [...] Read more.
New bio-thermoplastic elastomer composites with self-healing capacities based on epoxidized natural rubber and polycaprolactone blends reinforced with alginates were developed. This group of salts act as natural reinforcing fillers, increasing the tensile strength of the unfilled rubber from 5.6 MPa to 11.5 MPa without affecting the elongation at break (~1000% strain). In addition, the presence of ionic interactions and hydrogen bonds between the components provides the material with a thermally assisted self-healing capacity, as it is able to restore its catastrophic damages and recover diverse mechanical properties up to ~100%. With the results of this research, an important and definitive step is planned toward the circularity of elastomeric materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications)
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11 pages, 2848 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Novel Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane/Functionalized Boron Nitride Composites
by Said El Khezraji, Manal Chaib, Suman Thakur, Mustapha Raihane, Miguel A. Lopez-Manchado, Raquel Verdejo and Mohammed Lahcini
Polymers 2022, 14(19), 3934; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14193934 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2038
Abstract
Poly(hydroxyurethanes) (PHUs) have been suggested as isocyanate-free, low-toxicity alternatives to polyurethanes (PUs). However, PHUs present low mechanical properties due to the presence of side reactions that limit the production of high-molar mass polymers. Here, we present the synthesis under mild conditions and atmospheric [...] Read more.
Poly(hydroxyurethanes) (PHUs) have been suggested as isocyanate-free, low-toxicity alternatives to polyurethanes (PUs). However, PHUs present low mechanical properties due to the presence of side reactions that limit the production of high-molar mass polymers. Here, we present the synthesis under mild conditions and atmospheric pressure of bi-cyclic carbonate monomer for the production of PHU nanocomposites with good physical properties. The kinetics of the bi-cyclic carbonate synthesis and its complete conversion to urethane were followed by FTIR. The addition of functionalized boron nitrate (f-BN) with sucrose crystals improved the thermal degradation temperature as well as the glass transition by approximately 20 °C and 10 °C, respectively. The storage modulus of PHU films gradually increases with the concentration of f-BN in the composite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications)
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13 pages, 2084 KiB  
Article
Relationships between Size Distribution, Morphological Characteristics, and Viscosity of Cellulose Nanofibril Dispersions
by Gregory Albornoz-Palma, Daniel Ching, Andrea Andrade, Sergio Henríquez-Gallegos, Regis Teixeira Mendonça and Miguel Pereira
Polymers 2022, 14(18), 3843; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14183843 - 14 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1428
Abstract
Rheological parameters of cellulose nanofibril dispersions (CNF) are relevant and commonly used as quality control for producing of this type of material. These parameters are affected by morphological features and size distribution of the nanofibrils. Understanding the effect of size distribution is essential [...] Read more.
Rheological parameters of cellulose nanofibril dispersions (CNF) are relevant and commonly used as quality control for producing of this type of material. These parameters are affected by morphological features and size distribution of the nanofibrils. Understanding the effect of size distribution is essential for analyzing the rheological properties, viscosity control, performance of CNFs, and potential dispersion applications. This study aims at comprehending how the morphological characteristics of the CNFs and their size distribution affect the rheological behavior of dispersions. The CNF dispersions were fractionated by size, obtaining six fractions of each, which were analyzed for their morphology and rheology (viscosity, intrinsic viscosity). In the dilute region, the viscosity and intrinsic viscosity behavior of CNF dispersions are linear concerning the size distribution present in the dispersion. In the semi-dilute region, the size of the fibrils and the fiber aggregates have a relevant effect on the viscosity behavior of CNF dispersions, which are satisfactorily related (R2 = 0.997) using the rule of logarithmic additivity of the dispersion viscosities of size fractions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications)
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14 pages, 7576 KiB  
Article
New Poplar-Derived Biocomposites via Single-Step Thermoforming Assisted by Phosphoric Acid Pretreatment
by Deming Chen, Chunyan Xu, Haoran Ye, Yang Shi, Yequan Sheng, Shengbo Ge, Minglong Zhang and Hui Wang
Polymers 2022, 14(17), 3636; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14173636 - 02 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1397
Abstract
One-step thermoforming represents an effective approach to preparing glue-free biocomposites. This study aimed to produce glue-free biocomposites with high-temperature resistance and mechanical properties using phosphoric acid pretreatments combined with thermoforming. Due to the hot-moulding process, the cell wall was destroyed, which allowed the [...] Read more.
One-step thermoforming represents an effective approach to preparing glue-free biocomposites. This study aimed to produce glue-free biocomposites with high-temperature resistance and mechanical properties using phosphoric acid pretreatments combined with thermoforming. Due to the hot-moulding process, the cell wall was destroyed, which allowed the fibres to adhere closely together. Most hemicelluloses were hydrolysed through pretreatment with phosphoric acid, and the contact area between the cellulose and lignin was significantly increased. The biocomposites prepared by ball milling demonstrated remarkable flexural strength (49.03 MPa) and tensile strength (148.23 MPa). Moreover, they had excellent thermal stability, with the maximum temperature for pyrolysis rate at 374 °C, which was much higher than that of poplar (337 °C). In addition, the material released no formaldehyde during the preparation process, which is in line with the concept of green production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymer Composites: Properties, Characterizations and Applications)
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