We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sustainable biomaterials based on cellulose, chitin and chitosan composites - A review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed advances in making sustainable composite materials from cellulose, chitin, and chitosan — abundant natural polymers found in plants and shellfish — as biodegradable alternatives to synthetic plastics that contribute to microplastic pollution. The review covers how these biopolymers can be dissolved and combined into fibers, films, and gels for a wide range of environmentally friendly applications.
In this review we describe recent advances of biocomposites consisting of cellulose, chitin, and chitosan. These polysaccharides are very important because they are abundant and renewable resources. As such, they significantly contribute to the development of sustainable processing of bioactive and biodegradable materials since there is an increased concern about the sustainability of synthetic polymers, leading to increased presence of microplastics in the environment. First, we briefly describe the molecular structures of cellulose, chitin, and chitosan. Our objective is to show that their related structural features lead to biopolymer dissolution in common solvents such as ionic liquids. We also address the dissolution mechanisms, biopolymer-solvent interactions, and solvent properties required to dissolve these biopolymers. Mutual solvents for of cellulose, chitin, and chitosan allow composite preparation via solution mixing which is advantageous with regard to processing complexity and costs. Thus, we present preparation, properties and application of cellulose/chitin/chitosan biocomposites in various physical forms, such as (nano)fibers, films, membranes, and hydrogels.
More Papers Like This
Chitosan with Natural Additives as a Potential Food Packaging
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the potential of chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin, as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging. Chitosan-based materials combined with natural additives show promising antimicrobial and biocompatible properties while being biodegradable. The study suggests these materials could help reduce plastic packaging waste and the associated microplastic pollution from food industry sources.
Bio Polymers to Save Human Health and Environment: Chitin and Lignin
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines chitin and lignin as bio-based polymer alternatives derived from food and agro-forestry byproducts that could reduce plastic waste within a circular green economy framework. The authors discuss how nano-sized versions of these natural polymers can be used to produce biodegradable products, smart tissues mimicking extracellular matrix structure, and sustainable packaging for medical and cosmetic applications.
Sustainable Biopolymer Colloids: Advances in Morphology for Enhanced Functionalities
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines advances in sustainable biopolymer colloids derived from cellulose, chitin, starch, alginate, and lignin as alternatives to synthetic colloidal materials. Researchers discuss fabrication techniques for creating particles, fibers, and films with desired functionalities through morphology control rather than chemical modification. The study highlights remaining challenges in uniformity, scalability, and environmental sustainability that must be addressed to replace synthetic polymers with microplastic-free alternatives.
Biocompatible materials as a sustainable solution to micro- and nanoplastic remediation and their challenges
AI summary Read the abstract
This review evaluates biocompatible materials—including chitosan, cellulose, and biopolymers—as sustainable sorbents for removing micro- and nanoplastics from water, highlighting their advantages of biodegradability and low toxicity compared to conventional treatment media.
Fabrication and evaluation of novel composite resin material using chitin nanofiber
AI summary Read the abstract
This study developed a composite resin material reinforced with chitin nanofibers derived from natural sources as a renewable, biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic composites. Optimizing the chitin nanofiber content and mixing conditions yielded improved mechanical properties, suggesting potential applications that could reduce reliance on synthetic microplastic-generating resins.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.