A special issue of Ecological & Sustainable Materials Connect (In process)
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026 Published Articles: 0 Submit your Article Share
Lead Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 81310 Johor Bahru Johor Malaysia
Co-Guest Editor
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering Faculty of Engineering Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia
Co-Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 81310 Johor Bahru Johor Malaysia
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.
The issue will cover a range of topics, including, but not limited to:
Researchers are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and visionary perspectives relevant to the scope of the special issue.
For further details, please contact the editorial office at: info@scifiniti.com