Advanced Functional Polymers for Sustainable Materials and Energy Applications

Abstract

Advanced functional polymers have emerged as a transformative class of materials enabling sustainable solutions across energy, environmental, and industrial sectors. These polymers exhibit tailored physicochemical properties such as stimuli-responsiveness, electrical conductivity, self-healing ability, and biodegradability. Recent advancements in polymer chemistry—including controlled radical polymerization, bio-based monomer integration, and nanocomposite engineering—have significantly enhanced their performance in applications such as energy storage, solar energy conversion, flexible electronics, and environmental remediation. This paper provides a comprehensive review of advanced functional polymers, focusing on their synthesis, properties, and applications in sustainable materials and energy systems. The study also discusses challenges, lifecycle considerations, and future prospects in the context of circular economy frameworks.