STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Polymer & Composites Review Article Special issue

Advanced Functional Polymers and Their Synergistic Role in Smart Composite Materials for Sustainable Industrial Applications

  1. Bindiya Jain Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Poornima University, Jaipur
  2. Vaishali Praveen Faculty of Engineering and Technologies, Poornima University, Jaipur
  3. Yashika Saini Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Poornima University, Jaipur
  4. Satya Prakash Awasthi Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Amity University, Gwalior
  5. Sumit Kumar Kapoor Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Poornima University, Jaipur

Abstract

Advanced functional polymers have revolutionized composite materials, offering enhanced properties such as self-healing, electrical conductivity, environmental adaptability, and high mechanical strength. These innovations are reshaping industries by enabling smarter, more efficient, and sustainable solutions. Functional polymers play a pivotal role in producing high-performance composite materials to meet the growing demands of sustainable industrial applications. Significant improvements in material properties mechanical strength, durability, thermal stability, and recyclability are achieved through the integration of advanced polymers with nanoparticles, fibres, and bio-based composites. These advancements reduce environmental impacts across sectors like automobiles, aerospace, construction, and renewable energy. This study highlights key quantitative outcomes and findings from case studies, demonstrating the significance of advanced functional polymers. For instance, energy storage systems show a 40% efficiency increase, biomedical applications achieve 25% enhanced drug delivery accuracy, solar panels experience a 15% energy output boost, and industrial water purification systems report a 30% reduction in operational costs. These results underscore the vital role of functional polymers in driving material innovations while promoting environmental and economic sustainability. The paper emphasizes eco-friendly production processes, the role of advanced functional polymers in minimizing waste, reducing energy consumption, and utilizing renewable resources. Their contributions to reducing carbon footprints, extending product lifespans, and enabling self-healing, electrical conductivity, and environmental responsiveness are explored. The recyclability and biodegradability of these polymers further support the transition to a circular economy. This research discusses innovative methodologies to develop and optimize smart composites, focusing on material selection, fabrication techniques, and sustainability assessments. Advanced experimental techniques with modelling approaches, it provides insights into a new generation of composite materials that meet contemporary industry demands. The findings pave the way for large-scale industrial adoption of advanced functional polymers, fostering a more circular and sustainable future.

Keywords

References (41)

  1. Thai-German School of Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok. Sustainable smart polymer composite materials: A comprehensive review [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Jan 30]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373941539_Sustainable_Smart_Polymer_Composite_Materials_A_Comprehensive_Review
  2. Nallayarasu P, Ponnusamy V. High-performance advanced composites in multifunctional material applications. J Compos Mater. 2021;55(14):1983–97. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219983211011987
  3. Li J, Reddy VS, Jayathilaka W, Chinnappan A, Ramakrishna S, Ghosh R. Intelligent polymers, fibers, and applications. Polymers (Basel). 2021;13(9).
  4. Ashrafi M, Mirdamadi M. Advanced functional polymers and composites: Materials, devices, and allied applications (Volume 2). Nova Science Publishers; 2021.
  5. Islam SM, Noman A. Advanced functional polymer materials. Mater Sci Eng R Rep. 2020;144:100514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mser.2020.100514
  6. Zhang Y, Liu F, Xu H. Advances in sustainable polymeric materials. Polym Int. 2022;71(9):1315–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.6199
  7. Cataldi P, Steiner P, Raine T, Lin K, Kocabas C, Young RJ, et al. Multifunctional biocomposites based on polyhydroxyalkanoate and graphene/carbon-nanofiber hybrids for electrical and thermal applications. Adv Funct Mater. 2020;30(10):1907223. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201907223
  8. Winhard BF, Haida P, Plunkett A, Katz J, Domènech B, Abetz V, et al. 4D-printing of smart, nacre-inspired, organic-ceramic composites. Nat Mater. 2023;22(6):815-22. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-023-01322-9
  9. Simões S. High-Performance Advanced Composites in Multifunctional Material Design: State of the Art, Challenges, and Future Directions. Materials. 2024;17(23):5997. doi:10.3390/ma17235997
  10. Curtis PT. Multifunctional polymer composites. Advanced Performance Materials. 1996;3(3-4):279-293. doi:10.1007/bf00136792
  11. Wang K, Amin K, An Z, Cai Z, Chen H, Chen H, et al. Advanced functional polymer materials. Materials Chemistry Frontiers. 2020;4(7):1803-1915. doi:10.1039/d0qm00025f
  12. Correia DM, Fernandes LC, Martins PM, García‐Astrain C, Costa CM, Reguera J, et al. Ionic Liquid–Polymer Composites: A New Platform for Multifunctional Applications. Advanced Functional Materials. 2020;30(24). doi:10.1002/adfm.201909736
  13. Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications. 2021. doi:10.1016/c2018-0-02671-7
  14. Mirabedini A, Ang A, Nikzad M, Fox B, Lau KT, Hameed N. Evolving Strategies for Producing Multiscale Graphene‐Enhanced Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer Composites for Smart Structural Applications. Advanced Science. 2020;7(11). doi:10.1002/advs.201903501
  15. Sahayaraj AF, Dhamotharan S, Sandeep D, Ramachandran P, Jenish I, Divakaran D, et al. Sustainable Smart Polymer Composite Materials: A Comprehensive Review. E3S Web of Conferences. 2023;428:02014. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202342802014
  16. Nadgorny M, Ameli A. Functional Polymers and Nanocomposites for 3D Printing of Smart Structures and Devices. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2018;10(21):17489-17507. doi:10.1021/acsami.8b01786
  17. Kontiza A, Kartsonakis IA. Smart Composite Materials with Self-Healing Properties: A Review on Design and Applications. Polymers. 2024;16(15):2115. doi:10.3390/polym16152115
  18. Zhang Y, Xia X, Ma K, Xia G, Wu M, Cheung YH, et al. Functional Textiles with Smart Properties: Their Fabrications and Sustainable Applications. Advanced Functional Materials. 2023;33(33). doi:10.1002/adfm.202301607
  19. Islam MH, Afroj S, Uddin MA, Andreeva DV, Novoselov KS, Karim N. Graphene and CNT‐Based Smart Fiber‐Reinforced Composites: A Review. Advanced Functional Materials. 2022;32(40). doi:10.1002/adfm.202205723
  20. Al-Amiery AA, Fayad MA, Abdul Wahhab HA, Al-Azzawi WK, Mohammed JK, Majdi HS. Interfacial Engineering for Advanced Functional Materials: Surfaces, Interfaces, and Applications. Results in Engineering. 2024;22:102125. doi:10.1016/j.rineng.2024.102125
  21. Bhunia K, Sable S, Umapathy B, Kumar M, Pal S, Chakraborty S, et al. Emerging trends in smart polymeric composite materials for biomedical applications. Adv Mater Interfaces. 2023;10(24):2301798. https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202301798
  22. Choudhury A, Gupta R, Mahapatra SS. Self-healing polymer composites: Recent advances and future prospects. Mater Today Chem. 2022;26:101082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2022.101082
  23. Rahman MM, Faisal SN, Rahman S, Miah A, Ali M, Ahmed F, et al. Next-generation sustainable polymeric materials: Advances and applications. J Polym Res. 2024;31(5):123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-024-03811-x
  24. Wang T, Zhou Y, Li J, Chen X, Zhang L, Wang W, et al. Novel strategies for developing bio-based polymer composites for green energy applications. J Mater Chem A. 2023;11(17):8561-78. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA00856J
  25. Kumar D, Singh RK, Sharma S, Shukla RK, Gupta P. AI-driven multifunctional polymer composites: State-of-the-art and future perspectives. Prog Polym Sci. 2023;138:101693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2023.101693
  26. Lee H, Kim J, Ahn H, Yoo Y, Choi S, Kang J, et al. Multifunctional polymer nanocomposites for flexible and wearable electronics. Adv Funct Mater. 2022;32(20):2201468. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202201468
  27. Feng J, Zhang C, Hu Y, Liu J, Liu Y, He Y, et al. Self-powered sensors based on smart polymer composites for real-time environmental monitoring. Nano Energy. 2024;120:108408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.108408
  28. Palacios A, Pérez D, Martín C, Lanceros-Méndez S. Recent progress on smart polymer composites for electromagnetic interference shielding applications. Adv Mater Technol. 2023;8(9):2201772. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202201772
  29. Das A, Basu S, Roy S. Smart shape memory polymer composites: Emerging applications and future trends. Compos Sci Technol. 2023;238:110220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2023.110220
  30. Zhang X, Li X, Sun B, Li H, Shi Y. Intelligent self-healing polymer composites: A comprehensive review on mechanisms and applications. Chem Eng J. 2024;468:144018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.144018
  31. Kumar S, Gupta A, Banerjee A. Next-generation polymer nanocomposites for environmental sustainability. J Mater Sci. 2023;58(12):6543-68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-023-08463-5
  32. Ahmad M, Khan M, Ullah H, Raza W. Advanced polymeric materials for energy storage applications: Challenges and opportunities. Energy Storage Mater. 2023;56:102478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2023.102478
  33. Morales M, Serrano A, Pujol L, Garcia-Bernabé A, Gomez E, Borras A. Conductive polymer composites for wearable biosensors: A review on material design and integration. Biosens Bioelectron. 2023;226:115099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2023.115099
  34. Yadav P, Sharma R, Sharma V, Kumar V, Kumar P, Sharma A. Polymer-based advanced functional composites for aerospace applications. J Appl Polym Sci. 2024;141(6):51872. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.51872
  35. Tang Y, Li H, Zhang J, Wang J, Zhang X, Li J, et al. Graphene-reinforced polymer composites for energy storage devices. Adv Energy Mater. 2023;13(30):2301984. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202301984
  36. Rahimi A, Garcia de Almeida L, Singh P, Lobo AO, Ko F. Electrospun smart polymer nanofibers for environmental and biomedical applications. J Mater Chem B. 2023;11(35):7675-95. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB01067J
  37. Liu H, Yang J, Zhang W, Li Z, Chen W, Xu P. Advances in 3D printing of smart polymer composites. Addit Manuf. 2023;64:103078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2023.103078
  38. Mylsamy, B., Aruchamy, K., Shanmugam, S. K. M., Palanisamy, S., & Ayrılmis, N. (2025). Improving performance of composites: Natural and synthetic fibre hybridisation techniques in composite materials–A Review. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 130439.
  39. Palanisamy, S., Murugesan, T. M., Palaniappan, M., Santulli, C., & Ayrilmis, N. (2024). Fostering sustainability: The environmental advantages of natural fiber composite materials–a mini review. Environmental Research and Technology, 7.
  40. Abhilash, P. M., Boban, J., Ahmed, A., & Luo, X. (2023). Digital twin-driven additive manufacturing: Advancements and future prospects. In Hybrid Metal Additive Manufacturing (pp. 196-221). CRC Press.
  41. Karuppiah, G., Kuttalam, K. C., Ayrilmis, N., Nagarajan, R., Devi, M. I., Palanisamy, S., & Santulli, C. (2022). Tribological analysis of jute/coir polyester composites filled with eggshell powder (ESP) or nanoclay (NC) using grey rational method. Fibers, 10(7), 60.
Support