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Bio-degradable polymers through green chemistry: advances, applications, and future perspectives
Summary
This review paper rounds up recent research on making plastics that break down naturally, using cleaner and safer manufacturing methods instead of harsh chemicals and fossil fuels. This matters because everyday plastics that don't degrade are piling up in landfills and oceans, breaking into microplastics that end up in our food, water, and even our bodies — switching to truly biodegradable materials for packaging, medical devices, and consumer products could help cut down that exposure over time. The paper notes that cost and durability challenges still need to be solved before these greener plastics can fully replace conventional ones.
Abstract The extensive use of petroleum-based, non-bio-degradable plastics has resulted in severe environmental pollution and long-term ecological damage. In response, bio-degradable polymers have emerged as sustainable alternatives capable of reducing plastic waste and minimizing environmental impact. However, the conventional synthesis and processing of these materials often involve hazardous chemicals, energy-intensive methods, and non-renewable resources, which limit their overall sustainability. Green chemistry offers an effective framework for addressing these challenges by promoting environmentally benign materials, safer reaction conditions, renewable feedstocks, and waste-minimizing processes. This review presents a comprehensive overview of recent developments in bio-degradable polymers synthesized using green chemistry principles. It discusses sustainable sources of raw materials, eco-friendly polymerization techniques, green solvents, enzymatic catalysis, and energy-efficient technologies employed in polymer production. Major classes of natural and synthetic bio-degradable polymers, including cellulose, chitosan, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and polycaprolactone, are critically examined with respect to their properties, biodegradation behavior, and environmental performance. Furthermore, this article highlights emerging applications of bio-degradable polymers in packaging, agriculture, biomedical engineering, and consumer products, emphasizing their role in promoting circular economy practices. Current challenges, such as high production costs, limited mechanical strength, and inadequate waste management infrastructure, are also addressed. Finally, future perspectives and research directions are outlined to support large-scale commercialization and policy-driven adoption of sustainable polymeric materials. Overall, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the integration of green chemistry and bio-degradable polymer science for achieving long-term environmental sustainability.