The field of bio-based polymer composites has garnered significant attention due to the growing environmental awareness, depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and the fluctuating prices of petroleum-based materials. Bio-based polymers are increasingly recognized as viable alternatives to their petroleum-derived counterparts, offering sustainability, eco-efficiency, and biodegradability. Recent advancements in the bio-based industry have led to the development of mature technologies for preparing bio-based monomers from natural sources such as vegetable oils, natural acids, lignin, and polysaccharides. Despite these advancements, bio-based polymers still face challenges such as poor crystallizability, heat resistance, and mechanical properties compared to commercial petroleum-derived polymers. To address these issues, researchers are exploring the use of natural additives and polymers to enhance the properties of bio-based polymers. However, the reliance on bio-based raw materials for synthesizing starting monomers remains a significant limitation, necessitating further investigation into new bio-based monomers and synthetic routes.
This Research Topic aims to explore the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of bio-based polymers and their blends/composites. The primary objectives include addressing the current limitations of bio-based polymers, such as their mechanical and thermal properties, and investigating new bio-based monomers and synthetic routes. Specific questions to be answered include: How can the mechanical and thermal properties of bio-based polymers be improved using natural additives? What are the most promising new bio-based monomers for polymer synthesis? How can the life cycle of bio-based polymers be assessed to ensure their sustainability?
To gather further insights into the development and application of bio-based polymer composites, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Design of bio-based polymers
- Synthesis of bio-based polymers
- Physics of bio-based polymers
- Biomimicry using bio-based polymers
- Biodegradability of polymers
- Life cycle assessment
- Bio-based additives for polymers
- Polymer blending
- Processing and performance of bio-based polymers
- Application of bio-based polymers
The field of bio-based polymer composites has garnered significant attention due to the growing environmental awareness, depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and the fluctuating prices of petroleum-based materials. Bio-based polymers are increasingly recognized as viable alternatives to their petroleum-derived counterparts, offering sustainability, eco-efficiency, and biodegradability. Recent advancements in the bio-based industry have led to the development of mature technologies for preparing bio-based monomers from natural sources such as vegetable oils, natural acids, lignin, and polysaccharides. Despite these advancements, bio-based polymers still face challenges such as poor crystallizability, heat resistance, and mechanical properties compared to commercial petroleum-derived polymers. To address these issues, researchers are exploring the use of natural additives and polymers to enhance the properties of bio-based polymers. However, the reliance on bio-based raw materials for synthesizing starting monomers remains a significant limitation, necessitating further investigation into new bio-based monomers and synthetic routes.
This Research Topic aims to explore the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of bio-based polymers and their blends/composites. The primary objectives include addressing the current limitations of bio-based polymers, such as their mechanical and thermal properties, and investigating new bio-based monomers and synthetic routes. Specific questions to be answered include: How can the mechanical and thermal properties of bio-based polymers be improved using natural additives? What are the most promising new bio-based monomers for polymer synthesis? How can the life cycle of bio-based polymers be assessed to ensure their sustainability?
To gather further insights into the development and application of bio-based polymer composites, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Design of bio-based polymers
- Synthesis of bio-based polymers
- Physics of bio-based polymers
- Biomimicry using bio-based polymers
- Biodegradability of polymers
- Life cycle assessment
- Bio-based additives for polymers
- Polymer blending
- Processing and performance of bio-based polymers
- Application of bio-based polymers