Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Cellulose Acetate Microsphere in Cosmetics Application and Sustainability Benefits

Researchers developed biodegradable cellulose acetate microspheres as a sustainable replacement for synthetic microplastic particles in cosmetics, producing smooth spherical particles via thermal phase separation that deliver comparable sensory performance while avoiding persistent plastic pollution in the environment.

2024 Journal of the Society of Powder Technology Japan
Article Tier 2

Effect of Addition of Spheroidal Cellulose Powders on Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Cosmetic Emulsions

The cosmetics industry has historically used tiny plastic microbeads as scrubbing and texturizing agents in face creams, but these are now widely banned due to environmental harm. This study evaluated spheroidal cellulose powders — derived from plant material — as a biodegradable replacement, finding that creams containing cellulose particles of two different sizes (2 and 7 µm) performed best, delivering good skin hydration, favorable texture, and high consumer sensory ratings. The results support cellulose-based particles as a viable and genuinely biodegradable substitute for synthetic microplastics in personal care products.

2025 Polymers 1 citations
Article Tier 2

A Scalable and Surfactant-Free Emulsion Method for Producing Microbeads from Varied Biomass Feedstocks

Researchers developed a scalable, surfactant-free emulsion method for producing microbeads from non-derivatized biomass such as cellulose, offering a biodegradable alternative to plastic microbeads still used in personal care and consumer products despite national and international regulations.

2024 Langmuir
Article Tier 2

Particle Size and Dispersion Properties of Cellulose Beads Fabricated via Coaxial Needle Spray Method

Researchers developed a method for producing cellulose microbeads smaller than 500 micrometers using a coaxial needle spray technique, as a biodegradable alternative to synthetic plastic microbeads in cosmetics. Replacing plastic microbeads in personal care products with cellulose-based alternatives directly reduces microplastic contamination in wastewater and aquatic environments.

2023 Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Functional Cellulose Microspheres for Potential Biomedical and Cosmetological Applications

This review examines cellulose microspheres (CMs) as biodegradable, biocompatible alternatives to plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and personal care products, summarizing their production methods, physicochemical properties, and applications in chromatography, drug delivery, wound dressing, blood filtration, and cosmetic formulations.

2022 OpenMETU (Middle East Technical University)
Article Tier 2

Fabrication of cellulose-based particles/capsules using gamma radiation-initiated radical precipitation polymerization

Researchers used radiation-initiated polymerization to create biodegradable cellulose-based microparticles as an alternative to fossil-fuel-derived microplastics used in cosmetics and personal care products. The bio-based particles showed promising properties and degraded more readily than conventional synthetic alternatives. Replacing conventional microplastic beads with biodegradable cellulose particles could reduce environmental pollution.

2022 International Journal of Polymeric Materials 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of surfactant concentration on the synthesis of hydrogel microbeads using the emulsion polymerization process for acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers

Researchers examined the effect of surfactant concentration on the synthesis of hydrogel microbeads as biodegradable replacements for the plastic microbeads commonly used in personal care and cosmetic products, optimising formulation parameters to produce spherical particles with properties suitable for exfoliant applications.

2025 E3S Web of Conferences
Article Tier 2

Preparation of spherical microparticles composed of cellulose nanofiber and cellulose diacetate via Pickering emulsion templating

Researchers fabricated spherical microparticles from TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers and cellulose diacetate using Pickering emulsion templating, producing bio-based particles with potential applications as sustainable functional materials.

2023 BioResources 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of Cellulose Acetate Spherical Microparticles by Means of Melt Extrusion of Incompatible Polymer Blend

Researchers developed cellulose acetate (CA) spherical microparticles using melt extrusion of incompatible polymer blends comprising CA with triacetin plasticizer and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), followed by selective removal of the secondary polymers. Drawing on Wu's equation, particle size was controlled by adjusting shear rate and viscosity ratios, offering a biodegradable alternative to synthetic microplastic particles.

2025 Polymers
Article Tier 2

Free standing nanocellulose films – fabrication methods, surface engineering and recyclability

This review examines fabrication methods, surface engineering approaches, and recyclability of free-standing nanocellulose films, highlighting their potential as sustainable alternatives to synthetic plastic films across various applications.

2025 Asian Engineering Review
Article Tier 2

Nanocellulose Coating on Kraft Paper

This paper is not directly about microplastics — it evaluates nanofibrillated cellulose coatings on kraft paper as a biodegradable alternative to plastic-based food packaging coatings, finding improvements in barrier properties, density, and mechanical strength.

2023 Coatings 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellulose nanofibers/polyvinyl alcohol blends as an efficient coating to improve the hydrophobic and oleophobic properties of paper

Researchers developed a paper coating made from cellulose nanofibers and polyvinyl alcohol and found it significantly improved paper's resistance to both water and grease while also increasing tensile strength, offering a potentially more sustainable alternative to the plastic-based coatings currently used in food packaging.

2022 Scientific Reports 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Controlled surface acetylation of cellulosics to tune biodegradability while expanding their use towards common petrochemical-based plastics

Not relevant to microplastics — this study demonstrates surface acetylation of cellulose paper fibers to improve wet strength and moisture resistance while maintaining biodegradability, positioned as an alternative to petrochemical plastics.

2024 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellulose Nanopaper: A Study of Composition and Surface Modifications to Develop Sustainably-Sourced Alternatives to Plastics

This study developed cellulose nanopaper — derived from wood pulp — with surface modifications to improve its properties as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging films. The research addresses the need for biodegradable packaging materials that reduce the plastic waste that becomes microplastic contamination.

2017 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Self-Grown Bacterial Cellulose Capsules Made through Emulsion Templating

Researchers developed biodegradable microcapsules by harnessing bacteria's biofilm-forming ability to grow self-assembled cellulose-based capsules through emulsion templating, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic polymer microcapsules used in agriculture, food, and cosmetics.

2021 ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of surfactant concentration on the synthesis of hydrogel microbeads using the emulsion polymerization process for acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers

Researchers synthesized hydrogel microbeads from acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers via emulsion polymerization as a potential biodegradable alternative to the microplastic microbeads commonly found in personal care products. They found that increasing surfactant concentration produced smaller, more homogeneous particles but reduced swelling capacity, characterizing the products by SEM and FTIR.

2025 Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Article Tier 2

Preparation and Characterization of Degradable Cellulose−Based Paper with Superhydrophobic, Antibacterial, and Barrier Properties for Food Packaging

Researchers prepared food packaging paper coated with polylactic acid and cinnamaldehyde as a barrier layer and nano silica-modified stearic acid as a superhydrophobic outer layer, creating a cellulose-based alternative to plastic packaging. The resulting material showed excellent water resistance, thermal stability, and antimicrobial activity while being made from renewable and biodegradable components.

2022 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Bacterial Nanocellulose toward Green Cosmetics: Recent Progresses and Challenges

This review summarizes recent advances in the use of bacterial nanocellulose as a sustainable ingredient in cosmetic formulations, highlighting its potential to replace synthetic microplastic-containing polymers used as film formers, fillers, and carrier materials in skin care products.

2021 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 96 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanoparticles from Agricultural Wastes and Their Application in Polymer Composites

Researchers developed eco-sustainable bio-nanocomposite materials by extracting cellulose nanoparticles from agricultural waste such as rapeseed straw, demonstrating their potential as renewable, biodegradable alternatives to synthetic nanomaterials.

2023 Scholars International Journal of Chemistry and Material Sciences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Barrier Performance of Spray Coated Cellulose Nanofiber–Montmorillonite (MMT) Composites

Researchers developed cellulose nanofiber coatings blended with clay minerals to create paper-based packaging with very low oxygen permeability. This biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging could help reduce plastic waste in food packaging applications.

2023 Journal of Multidisciplinary Cases
Article Tier 2

Impact of the Incorporation of Nano-Sized Cellulose Formate on the End Quality of Polylactic Acid Composite Film

Researchers found that incorporating nano-sized cellulose formate fillers, including cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals, into polylactic acid films significantly improved mechanical strength and barrier properties while maintaining the biodegradable character of the composite, offering a path toward higher-performance sustainable packaging.

2021 Nanomaterials 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Sustainable Biopolymer Colloids: Advances in Morphology for Enhanced Functionalities

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.

2025 Langmuir 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Design of cellulose nanofibre-based composites with high barrier properties

Researchers tested four types of cellulose nanofibres and two clay mineral combinations for making composite films with gas barrier properties, finding that TEMPO-oxidized and cationized nanofibres with clay minerals produced films with superior mechanical and barrier performance. These plant-derived composites offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based packaging films.

2023 Cellulose 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Phase separation patterned films of natural materials: Preparation of mixed monolayers of nanocellulose integrates and organo‐modified nanoclays

Researchers prepared mixed monolayer films of cellulose acetate nanofibers and organo-modified montmorillonite nanoclay on a water surface, finding that the components undergo phase separation to form patterned surfaces where clay nanoparticle size decreases as the cellulose acetate ratio increases.

2023 Polymer Engineering and Science 5 citations