Degradation of Plastics
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 2189
Special Issue Editors
Interests: smart polymers; sensory polymers; detection of target species; colorimetry; fluorimetry; polymers for advanced applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: polymers; polymer sensors; high performance aramids; design, synthesis and characterization of polymers; polymers for advanced applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: polymer reinforcement; thermoplastics; composites; aromatic polyamides; injection moulding; extrusion; polymeric electrolytes
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Research on the degradation of plastics involves a deep understanding of the intricate processes by which synthetic polymer materials disintegrate and break down over time. Various factors such as environmental conditions, exposure to light, heat, mechanical stress, and microbial activity, and the application of organocatalysts influence the degradation of plastics. Investigating these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective strategies to facilitate plastic degradation, especially to enhance their potential for recycling through methods such as chemical recycling. Techniques such as biodegradation, where microorganisms break down plastics into simpler compounds, and photodegradation, involving the breakdown of plastics under sunlight, are of particular interest. Research also explores the development of novel materials and additives, including the use of organocatalysts, that can expedite or control the degradation process, allowing for more efficient recycling and reducing the environmental burden of plastic waste. Understanding the science behind plastic degradation is fundamental for advancing sustainable practices, optimizing recycling technologies, and ultimately mitigating the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on our environment.
This Special Issue, entitled "Degradation of Plastics", comprehensively covers a diverse spectrum of plastic degradation techniques and procedures, spanning from foundational basic research to the practical implementation of these techniques in real-world applications.
Dr. Saúl Vallejos Calzada
Dr. Miriam Trigo-López
Dr. Álvaro Miguel Ortega
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
- polymers
- plastic degradation
- biodegradation
- depolymerization
- environmental impact
- polymer recycling
- chemical recycling
- hydrolyzable polymers
- non-hydrolyzable polymers