A Review of Biodegradable Plastics: Chemistry, Applications, Properties, and Future Research Needs

Abstract

Environmental concerns over waste plastics’ effect on the environment are leading to the creation of biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics may serve as a promising approach to manage the issue of environmental accumulation of plastic waste in the ocean and soil. Biodegradable plastics are the type of polymers that can be degraded by microorganisms into small molecules (e.g., H2O, CO2, and CH4). However, there are misconceptions surrounding biodegradable plastics. For example, the term “biodegradable” on product labeling can be misconstrued by the public to imply that the product will degrade under any environmental conditions. Such misleading information leads to consumer encouragement of excessive consumption of certain goods and increased littering of products labeled as “biodegradable”. This review not only provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art biodegradable plastics but also clarifies the definitions and various terms associated with biodegradable plastics, including oxo-degradable plastics, enzyme-mediated plastics, and biodegradation agents. Analytical techniques and standard test methods to evaluate the biodegradability of polymeric materials in alignment with international standards are summarized. The review summarizes the properties and industrial applications of previously developed biodegradable plastics and then discusses how biomass-derived monomers can create new types of biodegradable polymers by utilizing their unique chemical properties from oxygen-containing functional groups. The terminology and methodologies covered in the paper provide a perspective on directions for the design of new biodegradable polymers that possess not only advanced performance for practical applications but also environmental benefits.

Poly(amide11)-Incorporated Block Copolymers as Compatibilizers to Toughen a Poly(lactide)/Polyamide 11 Blend

“…Companies are increasingly using sustainable materials in their products in efforts to be more socially responsible . With these trends, biobased biodegradable polymers such as polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and polycaprolactone (PCL) have attracted growing interest in recent decades. The materials are promising alternatives to conventional fossil-based materials, and their use could significantly contribute to mitigating environmental impacts and promoting a sustainable future.…”

Biodegradable High-Molecular-Weight Poly(pentylene adipate-co-terephthalate): Synthesis, Thermo-Mechanical Properties, Microstructures, and Biodegradation

“…1 Biodegradable polymers, such as starch-based blends, poly-(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), are being used to replace conventional plastics in applications where the plastic will leak into the environment, such as agricultural mulching. 2 Biodegradable plastics can degrade in industrial compost and natural environments and also can be chemically recyclable. PBAT is the most widely produced biodegradable polymer.…”

“…Conventional plastic waste (e.g., single-use flexible plastics) commonly escapes from waste management systems, enters natural environments, and causes environmental issues . Biodegradable polymers, such as starch-based blends, poly­(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), are being used to replace conventional plastics in applications where the plastic will leak into the environment, such as agricultural mulching . Biodegradable plastics can degrade in industrial compost and natural environments and also can be chemically recyclable.…”

Preparation of Block Copolymers by a Sequential Transesterification Strategy: A Feasible Route for Upcycling End-of-Life Polyester Plastics to Elastomers

“…With the increased environmental awareness, the development of biodegradable plastics has become a consensus. − Polylactide (PLA) and poly­(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) are the most representative biodegradable polyesters due to their excellent thermal-mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, which have been widely used in biomedical science, agricultural field, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and other fields. − However, PLA and PCL homopolymers also have some drawbacks and challenges. In the case of PLA materials, despite their high strength and modulus, their inherent brittleness limited their application in more fields.…”