Guest Editors
Dr. António Benjamim Mapossa
Email: antonio.mapossa@ucalgary.ca
Affiliation: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Research Interests: functional enhancement of polymer composites, fire-safe and thermally stable polymer composites, nanostructured and barrier-enhanced polymer composites, advanced characterization and performance evaluation techniques, polymer composites for additive manufacturing, smart and agro-functional polymer composites
Summary
Polymer composites are advanced materials composed of natural or synthetic polymer matrices combined with functional additives such as fillers, plasticizers, lubricants, stabilizers, modifiers, and flame retardants.
These components interact physically or chemically within the matrix while largely retaining their intrinsic characteristics, resulting in materials that exhibit superior performance compared to their individual constituents.
Polymer composites can be manufactured in a wide range of shapes and dimensions depending on their intended applications. Common processing techniques include melt extrusion, injection molding, electrospinning, and solution mixing. Through these fabrication methods, composites can be produced in various structural forms, including strands, flat sheets, thin films, microspheres or microparticles, and fibers. Owing to their tunable properties and structural versatility, polymer composites have found widespread applications in construction, aerospace, electronics, medical devices, and biomedical engineering.
This Special Issue, entitled "Processing and Applications of Polymer Composite Materials" aims to collect high-quality research contributions focused on the development, processing, characterization, and multifunctional applications of polymer composite materials. Particular attention is given to innovative materials designed for advanced applications such as drug delivery systems, water treatment, and wastewater purification.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Enhancement of thermal, mechanical, morphological, and flammability properties of polymer composites through the incorporation of fillers, plasticizers, lubricants, stabilizers, modifiers, flame retardants, and their synergistic combinations.
2. Development of innovative methodologies for evaluating and quantifying the physical, mechanical, thermal, and chemical performance of polymer composites.
3. Improvement of barrier properties (e.g., gas, vapor, and moisture resistance) via the incorporation of nanoparticles into polymer matrices.
4. Design and processing polymer composites for additive manufacturing and 3D printing applications.
5. Development of polymer composite materials incorporating repellents, insecticides, and fertilizers for controlled-release and agricultural applications.
Keywords
polymer composites; composite processing; multifunctional materials; additive manufacturing; 3D printing; flame retardancy; nanocomposites; barrier properties; controlled release systems
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