Ecological & Sustainable Materials Connect

This special issue aims to highlight recent advances in biocomposite materials engineered for mechanical durability and energy-related applications, addressing the urgent need for sustainable alternatives to conventional materials. Biocomposites–derived from biomass, agricultural residues, and bio-based polymers—are increasingly being engineered to meet performance requirements in structural systems, thermal management, and electrochemical devices. However, challenges remain in structure–property relationships, scalability, and long-term stability. This issue will focus on integrating: Mechanical engineering principles (strength, fatigue, fracture, structural design) Energy engineering applications (batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, thermal systems) Data-driven approaches (including regression-based modeling and generative design for materials optimization) Topics of interest Biocomposite Design & Fabrication Mechanical Engineering Performance Biocomposites for Energy Applications AI and Data-Driven Materials Engineering Sustainability & Circular Economy Benefits of submitting by the deadline No article processing charges Complimentary language editing For further details, please contact the editorial office at: info@scifiniti.com

2 Guest Editors

Deadline: December 30, 2026

Sustainable material innovation is central to addressing global challenges in clean energy, environmental protection, and advanced healthcare. Organic–inorganic hybrid materials, nanostructured systems, and bio-derived polymers are emerging as transformative solutions due to their tunable functionality, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with green processing techniques. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research focusing on the design, synthesis, and application of sustainable hybrid materials. Particular emphasis will be placed on: Low-cost and low-temperature processing Circular economy and waste valorization Interface engineering in hybrid systems Multifunctional performance across energy, environmental, and biomedical domains The issue will serve as a multidisciplinary platform bridging materials science, nanotechnology, and sustainability, encouraging collaboration between academia and industry. Topics of interest Organic–inorganic hybrid materials for sustainability Biopolymers (chitosan, lignin, cellulose) and green composites Graphene and carbon nanomaterials for energy/environment Biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery Quantum dots and nanostructures in photovoltaics Advanced coatings for durability and corrosion resistance Low-temperature and solution-based processing technologies Self-healing, smart, and responsive sustainable materials Hybrid materials for solar cells, batteries, and supercapacitors Functional nanocomposites for water purification and air remediation Waste-to-value materials and circular economy strategies Life cycle assessment (LCA) and eco-design of materials Benefits of submitting by the deadline No article processing charges Complimentary language editing For further details, please contact the editorial office at: info@scifiniti.com

2 Guest Editors

Closed

The increasing environmental burden associated with petroleum-based materials and unsustainable manufacturing practices has stimulated significant research interest in renewable materials derived from biomass. Among these, cellulose-based materials extracted from lignocellulosic biomass have emerged as particularly promising due to their renewability, biodegradability, mechanical robustness, and versatility in chemical modification. In recent years, significant advances have been reported in the development of functional cellulose-based materials such as antimicrobial paper, hydrophobic cellulose composites, aerogel materials, and multifunctional packaging systems. Several recent studies demonstrate the potential of bamboo-derived cellulose as a sustainable raw material for high-performance materials. Bamboo fibers exhibit rapid growth, high cellulose content, and favorable mechanical properties, making them an attractive alternative to conventional wood-based pulp in papermaking and bio-composite manufacturing. For example, modified bamboo pulp materials have been investigated for antimicrobial packaging applications using agents such as polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHGH) and silver-based compounds, which significantly enhance antibacterial activity against common microorganisms such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In parallel, other studies have explored antifungal modification of bamboo pulp using calcium propionate, which can suppress fungal growth while simultaneously improving mechanical strength and physical stability of paper products. Such findings highlight the possibility of designing cellulose-based materials that simultaneously meet mechanical performance requirements while offering functional properties such as antimicrobial protection. Beyond antimicrobial applications, cellulose materials have also been engineered to achieve improved barrier and thermal properties. For instance, graphene oxide reinforced cellulose aerogels have been investigated as advanced coatings with enhanced thermal resistance and structural stability, indicating their potential use in extreme environments and advanced engineering systems. Similarly, hydrophobic modification using alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) has been proposed to overcome the inherent hydrophilicity of cellulose fibres, enabling the development of water-resistant biodegradable paper materials as alternatives to plastic-laminated packaging. Despite these promising developments, the research field remains fragmented, with studies often focusing on isolated aspects such as antimicrobial modification, hydrophobic treatment, or structural reinforcement. There remains a strong need for interdisciplinary research that integrates material synthesis, chemical modification, structural characterization, and application development within a unified sustainability framework. Furthermore, the transition from laboratory-scale demonstrations to scalable green manufacturing processes requires deeper investigation into material design principles, environmental performance, and functional durability. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for reporting advances in bio-based functional materials derived from cellulose and other renewable biomass resources, particularly focusing on the design of environmentally sustainable materials with enhanced functionality. Contributions addressing sustainable raw materials, green chemical modification strategies, advanced characterization techniques, and innovative applications in packaging, coatings, and structural materials are strongly encouraged. By bringing together interdisciplinary research in materials science, green chemistry, and sustainable engineering, the Special Issue seeks to accelerate the development of next-generation eco-friendly materials capable of replacing conventional petroleum-derived products. Topics of interest The issue will cover a range of topics, including, but not limited to: Sustainable cellulose-based materials from lignocellulosic biomass Graphene-cellulose hybrid materials Bamboo-derived pulp and paper technologies Biodegradable coatings and functional paper products Antimicrobial cellulose materials and food packaging Green chemical modification of natural fibers Bio-based hydrophobic and barrier materials Nanocellulose and bio-nanocomposites Cellulose aerogels and advanced porous biomaterials Circular economy approaches in bio-materials production Sustainable packaging materials and biodegradable alternatives Advanced characterization of bio-based materials Target Audience Researchers are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and visionary perspectives relevant to the scope of the special issue. Benefits of submitting by the deadline No article processing charges Complimentary language editing For further details, please contact the editorial office at: info@scifiniti.com

4 Guest Editors

1 article Closed