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Polymers
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Biodegradable Polymers II
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Biodegradable Polymers II

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2021) | Viewed by 17143

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Naozumi Teramoto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba Institute of Technology, 2-17-1 Tsudanuma, Narashino, Chiba 275-0016, Japan
Interests: biomaterial; bio-based polymer; bioplastics; biodegradable polymer; biopolymer; composite material comprising a polymer matrix
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Synthetic polymers have developed considerably in the 20th century, and they are covering many applications as essential materials. Most of them are non-biodegradable and sometimes cause problems in the environment and living bodies. For a solution of these problems, research on biodegradable polymers has been active since the 1990's. Nowadays, we are facing urgent problems due to plastic marine debris and microparticles that dispersing all over the world. One of the proposed solutions is wider use of biodegradable polymers. Though many kinds of biodegradable polymers are reported in the literature, there are few successful examples of their practical use. Many challenges remain  for the successful production and marketing of biodegradable polymers. Therefore research and development on biodegradable polymers should be continuous, and valuable information can be obtained from biodegradable polymers for medical use such as those for drug delivery and regenerative medicine. Given the success and readership of the first edition (https://mdpi.com/si/polymers/biodegradable_polym), a second edition for continuously updating information and knowledge on biodegradable polymers has been organized.

This Special Issue aims to gather studies on the preparation, characterization, application, property evaluation, and degradation of synthetic biodegradable polymers and natural polymers as well as their hybrids or composites. It is dedicated is to provide recent knowledge and broaden the perspective on biodegradable polymers in environmental and medical applications.

Dr. Naozumi Teramoto
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

  • biodegradable polymers
  • natural polymers
  • aliphatic polyester
  • bioabsorbable polymers
  • environmentally-benign polymers

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 7226 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Degradation of Plasticized PLA Electrospun Fiber Mats: Morphological, Thermal and Crystalline Evolution
by Adrián Leonés, Laura Peponi, Marcela Lieblich, Rosario Benavente and Stefano Fiori
Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2975; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122975 - 13 Dec 2020
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 2650
Abstract
In the present work, fiber mats of poly(lactic acid), PLA, plasticized by different amounts of oligomer lactic acid, OLA, were obtained by electrospinning in order to investigate their long term hydrolytic degradation. This was performed in a simulated body fluid for up to [...] Read more.
In the present work, fiber mats of poly(lactic acid), PLA, plasticized by different amounts of oligomer lactic acid, OLA, were obtained by electrospinning in order to investigate their long term hydrolytic degradation. This was performed in a simulated body fluid for up to 352 days, until the complete degradation of the samples is reached. The evolution of the plasticized electrospun mats was followed in terms of morphological, thermal, chemical and crystalline changes. Mass variation and water uptake of PLA-based electrospun mats, together with pH stability of the immersion media, were also studied during the in vitro test. The results showed that the addition of OLA increases the hydrolytic degradation rate of PLA electrospun fiber mats. Moreover, by adding different amounts of OLA, the time of degradation of the electrospun fiber mats can be modulated over the course of a year. Effectively, by increasing the amount of OLA, the diameter of the electrospun fibers decreases more rapidly during degradation. On the other hand, the degree of crystallinity and the dimension of the α crystals of the electrospun fiber mats are highly affected not only by the presence but also by the amount of OLA during the whole process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers II)
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13 pages, 3287 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Optimization of Water-Soluble Cationic Sago Starch with a High Degree of Substitution Using Response Surface Methodology
by Nur’Izzah Md Nasir, Emilia Abdulmalek and Norhazlin Zainuddin
Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2614; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112614 - 06 Nov 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2957
Abstract
Modification and characterizations of cationic sago starch with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC) prepared via etherification reaction was reported in this study. The optimization of cationic sago starch modification was performed by utilizing the combination of response surface methodology and central composite design (RSM/CCD). [...] Read more.
Modification and characterizations of cationic sago starch with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC) prepared via etherification reaction was reported in this study. The optimization of cationic sago starch modification was performed by utilizing the combination of response surface methodology and central composite design (RSM/CCD). The effect of each variable and the interaction between the three variables, the concentration of CHPTAC, concentration of the catalyst NaOH, and the reaction times on the degree of substitution (DS) of the product were investigated and modeled. Moderate conditions were employed and a water-soluble cationic sago starch with high DS value was obtained. Based on RSM, the highest DS = 1.195 was obtained at optimum conditions: 0.615 mol of CHPTAC concentration (CHPTAC/SS = 5), 30% w/v NaOH, and 5 h reaction time, at 60 °C reaction temperature. Furthermore, the cationic sago starch was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, XRD, and field emission scanning electron microscopy, FESEM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers II)
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22 pages, 5484 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Characterization of Potato Starch Copolymers with a High Natural Polymer Content for the Removal of Cu(II) and Fe(III) from Solutions
by Beata Schmidt, Joanna Rokicka, Jolanta Janik and Katarzyna Wilpiszewska
Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2562; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112562 - 31 Oct 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2761
Abstract
Cross-linked potato starch (StMBA) and starch-g-polyacrylamide materials with a high content of natural polymer from 60 to 90 wt.% (St60–St90) were synthesized by double chemical-chemical modification (grafting and cross-linking). Eco-friendly starch absorbents were tested for removal of Cu2+ and Fe3+ from [...] Read more.
Cross-linked potato starch (StMBA) and starch-g-polyacrylamide materials with a high content of natural polymer from 60 to 90 wt.% (St60–St90) were synthesized by double chemical-chemical modification (grafting and cross-linking). Eco-friendly starch absorbents were tested for removal of Cu2+ and Fe3+ from aqueous solutions. The characteristics of the obtained materials (Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and laser scanning microscopy (LSM)) confirmed their diversity in terms of composition and structure. The effect of N,N’-Methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) and polyacrylamide (PAM) content in the starch graft copolymers, treatment time and concentration of metal ions on adsorption efficiency were investigated. The adsorption efficiency for StMBA was 14.0 mg Cu2+/g and 2.9 mg Fe3+/g, regardless of the initial concentration of ions, whereas for starch graft copolymer St60 it was 23.0 mg Cu2+/g and 21.2 mg Fe3+/g. Absorption of Fe(III) was persisted even after 2 days. Pseudo-second order model was used to investigate the adsorption mechanisms. It was found that in addition to the chemical adsorption of ions on the surface, there is sorption inside the polymer network and chelating mechanism may dominate. Satisfactory results were attributed to the adequate grafting of PAM onto starch, the ability to form complexes with metal cations and changes in material structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers II)
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17 pages, 2170 KiB  
Article
Improvement of Andean Blueberries Postharvest Preservation Using Carvacrol/Alginate-Edible Coatings
by Carolina Medina-Jaramillo, Carmen Quintero-Pimiento, Darío Díaz-Díaz, Silvia Goyanes and Alex López-Córdoba
Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2352; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102352 - 14 Oct 2020
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3513
Abstract
Edible coatings are attractive strategies for blueberries postharvest preservation. In this work, carvacrol/alginate coatings were developed for application on Andean blueberries. Coating formulations were prepared based on blends of sodium alginate (2% w/v), carvacrol (0%, 0.03%, 0.06% or 0.09%), glycerol, [...] Read more.
Edible coatings are attractive strategies for blueberries postharvest preservation. In this work, carvacrol/alginate coatings were developed for application on Andean blueberries. Coating formulations were prepared based on blends of sodium alginate (2% w/v), carvacrol (0%, 0.03%, 0.06% or 0.09%), glycerol, and water and applied to the fruits by dip-coating. Then, the fruits were immersed in a calcium batch to induce a crosslink reaction. Changes in the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the blueberries were monitored during 21 days of storage at 4 °C. Coated blueberries were better preserved throughout the 21 days of storage because of their lower respiration rate and water loss, in comparison with the uncoated ones. Besides, the coatings enhanced the appearance and the gloss of the fruits. Control fruits showed a significant decrease in the firmness, while, in the coated fruits, this critical postharvest quality was preserved during the entire storage. Coating formulations with 0.09% of carvacrol was the most effective in preventing mesophilic aerobic bacteria and molds/yeasts growth on the fruits during the storage. Edible carvacrol/alginate coatings can be considered as a useful alternative to complement the benefits of refrigerated storage by delaying post-harvest spoilage of Andean blueberries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers II)
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Review

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30 pages, 2567 KiB  
Review
Progress in Biodegradable Flame Retardant Nano-Biocomposites
by Zorana Kovačević, Sandra Flinčec Grgac and Sandra Bischof
Polymers 2021, 13(5), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13050741 - 27 Feb 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4624
Abstract
This paper summarizes the results obtained in the course of the development of a specific group of biocomposites with high functionality of flame retardancy, which are environmentally acceptable at the same time. Conventional biocomposites have to be altered through different modifications, to be [...] Read more.
This paper summarizes the results obtained in the course of the development of a specific group of biocomposites with high functionality of flame retardancy, which are environmentally acceptable at the same time. Conventional biocomposites have to be altered through different modifications, to be able to respond to the stringent standards and environmental requests of the circular economy. The most commonly produced types of biocomposites are those composed of a biodegradable PLA matrix and plant bast fibres. Despite of numerous positive properties of natural fibres, flammability of plant fibres is one of the most pronounced drawbacks for their wider usage in biocomposites production. Most recent novelties regarding the flame retardancy of nanocomposites are presented, with the accent on the agents of nanosize (nanofillers), which have been chosen as they have low or non-toxic environmental impact, but still offer enhanced flame retardant (FR) properties. The importance of a nanofiller’s geometry and shape (e.g., nanodispersion of nanoclay) and increase in polymer viscosity, on flame retardancy has been stressed. Although metal oxydes are considered the most commonly used nanofillers there are numerous other possibilities presented within the paper. Combinations of clay based nanofillers with other nanosized or microsized FR agents can significantly improve the thermal stability and FR properties of nanocomposite materials. Further research is still needed on optimizing the parameters of FR compounds to meet numerous requirements, from the improvement of thermal and mechanical properties to the biodegradability of the composite products. Presented research initiatives provide genuine new opportunities for manufacturers, consumers and society as a whole to create a new class of bionanocomposite materials with added benefits of environmental improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers II)
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