Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Composites Based on Fossil Types of Raw Materials. Part Ii: the Process of Biodegradation (review)

This review (Part II) examines the biodegradation processes of composite materials made from conventional fossil-based plastics and biodegradable components. The study addresses how these hybrid materials break down under environmental conditions, relevant to understanding whether biodegradable plastic alternatives actually degrade as expected.

2023 Polymer materials and technologies 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Starch/Wood Powder/Glycerol/Lemongrass Essential Oil Composite as Hydro‐Degradable Materials for 3D Printing

Researchers developed a biocomposite material from starch, wood powder, glycerol, and lemongrass essential oil for use in 3D printing as an alternative to conventional thermoplastics that release volatile organic compounds and contribute to microplastic pollution. The hydro-degradable composite demonstrated printability and biodegradation in aqueous environments, offering a sustainable feedstock for additive manufacturing.

2024 Starch - Stärke 1 citations
Article Tier 2

3D Bioprinting: Process, Techniques, Biomaterials and Bioinks and its Future Aspects

This paper is not about microplastics — it reviews 3D bioprinting techniques, biomaterials, and bioinks used to fabricate tissue-mimicking constructs for medical applications.

2023 International Journal of Chemical and Environmental Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Abiotic Degradation and Composting Behavior of 3D-Printed PLA and PLA/Wood Biocomposites

Researchers investigated the abiotic degradation and composting behavior of 3D-printed polylactic acid and PLA/wood biocomposites, motivated by the growing use of 3D printing technology and the polymeric waste it generates. They assessed how these materials break down under environmental and composting conditions, with implications for managing plastic residues from additive manufacturing.

2025 Journal of Green Construction Technology
Article Tier 2

Polymeric Composites and Microplastics: Regulatory and Toxicological Perspectives

This review examines the regulatory and toxicological dimensions of polymeric composites and microplastics, covering how chemical additives such as plasticizers, stabilizers, and flame retardants interact with polymer matrices and how environmental degradation releases these substances into ecosystems. Researchers found significant knowledge gaps regarding the impact of composite materials on marine biota and food chains, calling for standardized holistic studies under simulated environmental and landfill conditions.

2022 Apple Academic Press eBooks
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable microplastics (BMPs): a new cause for concern?

This review examined whether biodegradable microplastics present new environmental hazards, finding that many biodegradable polymers degrade slowly under real environmental conditions and can release toxic additives, and that the assumption of biodegradability does not eliminate microplastic pollution risks unless composting conditions are actively managed.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 98 citations
Article Tier 2

Acceleration of Biodegradation Using Polymer Blends and Composites

This review examines how blending biodegradable polymers with other materials can tune both physical properties and biodegradation rates, noting that many biodegradable plastics degrade far more slowly than claimed. The authors stress that biodegradation claims require rigorous validation under realistic environmental conditions.

2023 Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Multifunctional Application of Biopolymers and Biomaterials

This paper is not about microplastics; it is a broad review of multifunctional applications of biopolymers and biomaterials across medicine, packaging, and engineering.

2023 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Materials

This paper reviews advances in nanocomposite and biopolymer-based food packaging materials, noting that microplastic pollution has been detected globally and is a recognized threat to ecosystem and human health. It briefly contextualises microplastics as a motivation for developing biodegradable packaging alternatives, though the primary focus is materials science rather than microplastics research per se.

2023
Article Tier 2

Recent Preparations and Innovations in the Biodegradable Bioplastics and Biocomposites (A Review)

This review covered recent advances in biodegradable bioplastics and biocomposites as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, including their preparation methods, properties, and environmental performance. The authors noted that while bioplastics reduce reliance on fossil fuels and potentially decrease microplastic persistence, production costs and performance limitations remain barriers.

2025 Russian Journal of General Chemistry
Article Tier 2

Degradable Green Polymers, Green Nanopolymers and Green Nanocomposites Derived from Natural Systems: Statistics and Headways

This review summarizes advances in biodegradable green polymers and nanocomposites derived from natural sources, covering their properties, classification, and environmental benefits. Developing genuinely biodegradable alternatives to synthetic plastics is essential for reducing long-term microplastic accumulation in ecosystems.

2023 Nano-Horizons Journal of Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Polymers: The Future of Sustainable Plastic Alternatives

This review examines biodegradable polymers as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, evaluating their potential to reduce microplastic pollution and ecological degradation. The authors assess the performance, environmental fate, and scalability of current biodegradable materials, identifying key challenges for widespread adoption across packaging and consumer product applications.

2025 Scriptora International Journal of Research and Innovation (SIJRI)
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, Degradation, and Effect of Polymer-Based Materials in the Environment

This review covers the occurrence, environmental degradation, and ecological effects of polymer-based materials across terrestrial and aquatic environments, including both conventional and biodegradable plastics. It highlights the chemical complexity of plastics — including additives and degradation products — as a key factor determining environmental risk beyond just the physical presence of particles.

2013 Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 311 citations
Article Tier 2

A review on biodegradable polymer: Shortcomings, developments, and future direction

This review examines the current market share, classifications, and shortcomings of biodegradable polymer materials, synthesizing developments in this field and identifying future directions for reducing environmental pollution caused by conventional non-degradable polymer composites.

2023 Applied and Computational Engineering 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential Analysis for the Use of Bio-Based Plastics with Natural Fiber Reinforcement in Additive Manufacturing

Researchers reviewed the potential for using plant-based (bio-based) plastics reinforced with natural fibers in 3D printing as a sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel-derived composites, finding that while such materials could offer comparable strength at lower environmental cost, economic viability and biodegradability under real-world conditions remain challenges.

2023 Lecture notes in mechanical engineering
Article Tier 2

Polymer Biodegradability 2.0: A Holistic View on Polymer Biodegradation in Natural and Engineered Environments

Researchers reviewed the science of biodegradable plastics, examining how material properties and environmental conditions — such as temperature, moisture, and microbial activity — determine how quickly and completely a polymer breaks down. The chapter provides guidance for developing, testing, and regulating biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics that persist in the environment.

2023 Advances in polymer science 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Review of the Green Composite: Importance of Biopolymers, Uses and Challenges

This review examines the growing role of biopolymers and green composites as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. The authors discuss how natural polymer structures can be engineered into composite materials that perform well while reducing long-term environmental harm. The study highlights both the promise and remaining challenges of scaling biopolymer use to replace traditional plastics that persist in the environment.

2023 Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Sustainable Materials and Technologies for Biomedical Applications

This review covers sustainable biomaterials for medical implants, including 3D-printed devices made from biopolymers, ceramics, and composites. While not directly about microplastics, it is relevant because developing biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastics in medical devices could reduce the amount of plastic waste that eventually breaks down into microplastics. The research highlights how sustainable manufacturing could help address plastic pollution at its source.

2023 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering 34 citations
Review Tier 2

Greening Fused Deposition Modeling: A Critical Review of Plant Fiber-Reinforced PLA-Based 3D-Printed Biocomposites

This review covers advances in 3D printing with plant fiber-reinforced PLA (a biodegradable plastic), examining how natural cellulose fibers can strengthen printed materials while reducing reliance on petroleum-based plastics. While not directly about microplastic health effects, the development of biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics is relevant to reducing the microplastic pollution that enters the environment and human body.

2025 Fibers 13 citations
Review Tier 2

Environmental Degradation of Plastic Composites with Natural Fillers—A Review

Researchers examined the environmental degradation of polymer composites containing natural fillers, finding that exposure to outdoor conditions accelerates biodegradation of natural components and alters the mechanical properties of the composite material. The degradation process can generate microplastic fragments as the matrix breaks down.

2020 Polymers 214 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Polymer-Based Natural Fiber Composites

This review examined biodegradable polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers as alternatives to conventional plastics. Combining biodegradable matrices with plant fibers improved mechanical performance while maintaining degradability and reducing the risk of persistent microplastic contamination. These materials represent a promising direction for sustainable packaging and construction applications.

2022 5 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Cellulose-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites for Three-Dimensional Printing Using Polyethylene Glycol as an Additive: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review examined how cellulose-reinforced polylactic acid composites with polyethylene glycol additives can be used for 3D printing as biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. The research found that these bio-based materials show promise for reducing plastic waste, though challenges remain in matching the mechanical properties of conventional plastics.

2023 Polymers 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Advances in environmental degradation and impact of degradable plastics

This review clarifies definitions and classifications of degradable plastics and summarizes their degradation characteristics in water, soil, aerobic composting, and anaerobic digestion environments, finding that degradability remains conditional and dependent on specific polymer type, temperature, and duration. The authors also assess the potential environmental and biological impacts of microplastic fragments and additive byproducts released during degradation.

2024 Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version)
Article Tier 2

3D-printed polylactic acid biopolymer and textile fibers: comparing the degradation process

3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) objects and PLA textile fibers were compared in their degradation behavior under composting and environmental conditions. Both materials degraded over time but at different rates depending on their physical form and surface area. The study provides insights into how PLA-based products break down and whether they produce persistent microplastic residues.

2022 Revista Brasileira de Ciências Ambientais 4 citations