Guest Editor(s)
Assist. Prof. Mahmood Ahmed
Email: mahmood.ahmed@ue.edu.pk
Affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
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Research Interests: development of biopolymer-based hydrogels; nanocomposites; biodegradable films functionalized with metal-organic frameworks; plant-mediated nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery;
antimicrobial food packaging; sustainable environmental remediation
Summary
Polymers represent one of the most versatile classes of materials in modern science and engineering, with their applications spanning from everyday commodities to high-performance technologies. In recent decades, the convergence of environmental sustainability requirements and biomedical advancements has catalyzed intense research into functional polymer materials that can address critical global challenges. The environmental imperative is clear: conventional petroleum-based polymers contribute significantly to persistent pollution, resource depletion, and ecological damage. Simultaneously, the biomedical field demands increasingly sophisticated materials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and diagnostic platforms. Polymer-based functional materials offer a unique intersection where molecular design can simultaneously achieve environmental remediation capabilities and biocompatibility.
Recent advances have demonstrated that polymers can serve as effective supports for photocatalysts in wastewater treatment, provide safer alternatives to heavy-metal-containing semiconductors, and form the basis of biodegradable hydrogels for controlled drug delivery. The development of bio-based and degradable polymer systems further bridges these domains, offering materials that minimize environmental impact while meeting stringent biomedical requirements.
Suggested Themes
1. Environmental Applications: Polymer-based photocatalysts for water/air purification; biodegradable polymers for pollution control; polymer membranes for filtration and separation; adsorbent polymers for heavy metal removal; polymers for CO₂ capture and environmental remediation.
2. Biomedical Applications: Polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering; drug delivery systems; antibacterial polymer coatings; biocompatible hydrogels for wound healing; polymer-based diagnostic platforms; shape-memory polymers for medical devices
3. Sustainable Polymer Systems: Bio-based and biodegradable polymers; green synthesis routes; recycling and upcycling of polymer materials; life cycle assessment of polymer products
4. Advanced Functional Composites: Polymer nanocomposites with environmental or biological functionality; smart responsive polymers; self-healing materials; conductive polymers for biosensors
5. Processing and Characterization: 3D/4D printing of functional polymers; electrospinning of nanofibers for environmental/biomedical use; advanced characterization of polymer structure-property relationships
Graphic Abstract
Keywords
polymer-based functional composites; environmental remediation; biomedical applications; bio-based polymers; biodegradable polymers; polymer photocatalysts; drug delivery systems; smart responsive polymers; polymer nanocomposites; 3D printing of polymers; sustainable polymers; polymer hydrogels
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