Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Rational Design of Sustainable Liquid Microcapsules for Spontaneous Fragrance Encapsulation

Researchers designed sustainable liquid microcapsules for fragrance encapsulation using bio-based rather than petroleum-derived materials, reducing environmental impact. This approach could replace conventional capsules that shed microplastic particles into wastewater when rinsed off personal care products.

2021 Angewandte Chemie 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Encapsulation of volatile compounds in liquid media: Fragrances, flavors, and essential oils in commercial formulations

Researchers reviewed microencapsulation techniques for fragrances, flavors, and essential oils and found that widely used rigid polymer microcapsules in consumer products release microplastics into wastewater, accounting for roughly 4% of total environmental microplastic load, underscoring demand for biodegradable encapsulation alternatives.

2021 Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 94 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic-Free Microcapsules to Encapsulate Health-Promoting Limonene Oil

Researchers developed microplastic-free microcapsules using biodegradable materials to encapsulate limonene oil, demonstrating that sustainable shell materials can effectively replace non-biodegradable synthetic polymers while maintaining comparable encapsulation performance and shelf-life extension.

2022 Molecules 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigación en nuevas técnicas de microencapsulación biodegradables de fragancias para el sector de detergencia que eviten la liberación de microplásticos al medio ambiente

This study investigates biodegradable microencapsulation techniques for fragrances used in laundry and personal care products, aiming to replace conventional plastic microcapsules that release microplastics into the environment during washing. The research develops new polymer matrices that deliver fragrance performance while breaking down naturally, avoiding microplastic pollution.

2023
Article Tier 2

Development of sustainable polymeric shells for fragrance oil microencapsulation using biobased and biomass precursors

This doctoral thesis developed sustainable microcapsules for fragrance oil encapsulation using biobased and biomass-derived shell materials synthesized via free radical polymerization. The work aimed to replace conventional petroleum-based microcapsule shells, which shed persistent microplastics into wastewater during product use.

2025
Article Tier 2

Rational Design of Sustainable Liquid Microcapsules for Spontaneous Fragrance Encapsulation

Researchers developed a sustainable liquid microcapsule system using bio-based materials for spontaneous fragrance encapsulation, offering an alternative to petroleum-based encapsulation methods that avoids the need for heat, mixing, or synthetic crosslinkers.

2021 Angewandte Chemie International Edition 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of sustainable polymeric shells for fragrance oil microencapsulation using biobased and biomass precursors

This doctoral thesis developed environmentally sustainable microcapsules for fragrance oil encapsulation using biobased monomers derived from itaconic acid, demonstrating that bio-derived shell wall materials can replace petroleum-based equivalents in microencapsulation applications without sacrificing performance.

2025 DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University)
Article Tier 2

Eco-Friendly Silica Microcapsules with Improved Fragrance Retention

Researchers synthesized eco-friendly silica core-shell microcapsules using an oil-in-water emulsion template method with tetraethyl orthosilicate, demonstrating that a seeded growth approach for secondary shell formation significantly improved fragrance retention compared to conventional synthetic plastic microcapsules.

2022 Applied Sciences 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Facile anchoring mussel adhesive mimic tentacles on biodegradable polymer cargo carriers via self-assembly for microplastic-free cosmetics

This study designed biodegradable, mussel-inspired adhesive molecules that help fragrance-carrying nanoparticles stick to hair, skin, and fabric, replacing the synthetic microplastic beads commonly used in personal care products. The approach demonstrates that functional performance in cosmetics can be achieved with biodegradable materials that don't contribute to microplastic pollution in wastewater.

2021 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Surfactant-free and rinsing-resistant biodegradable nanoparticles with high adsorption on natural fibers for the long-lasting release of fragrances

Researchers developed biodegradable polymer nanoparticles for encapsulating and slowly releasing fragrances in laundry products, as an alternative to non-biodegradable synthetic polymer carriers. The work addresses growing regulatory pressure to eliminate microplastic-releasing polymer additives from consumer cleaning and care products.

2020 Colloids and Surfaces B Biointerfaces 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Electrospraying of environmentally sustainable alginate microbeads for cosmetic additives

Biodegradable microbeads made from seaweed-derived alginate were fabricated as replacements for the plastic microbeads used in cosmetics. This technology addresses a well-documented source of microplastic pollution entering waterways through bathroom drains.

2019 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Eco-Designing Cosmetic Products while Preserving the Sensorial-Application Properties: An Instrumental Approach toward Sustainable Formulations

Researchers explored eco-design approaches for reformulating cosmetic skin care products using natural and biodegradable ingredients. The study demonstrated that synthetic texturizers like nylon-12 and PMMA could be replaced with starch, maltodextrin, and silica while maintaining sensorial application properties, supporting the reduction of microplastic-generating ingredients in personal care products.

2024 Cosmetics 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Eco-Friendly Fungal Chitosan-Silica Dual-Shell Microcapsules with Tailored Mechanical and Barrier Properties for Potential Consumer Product Applications

Researchers developed eco-friendly dual-shell microcapsules made from fungal chitosan and silica to encapsulate fragrance oil, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional polymer-shelled perfume microcapsules. The capsules showed tailored mechanical and barrier properties suitable for cosmetic and consumer product applications.

2024 ACS Omega 6 citations
Article Tier 2

An integrated approach to address the biodegradability of cosmetic formulations as part of a corporate sustainability strategy

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper describes a corporate sustainability framework for evaluating and improving the biodegradability of cosmetic product portfolios, helping companies prioritize reformulation of high-impact products and ingredients.

2024 International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Organic–Inorganic Multilayer Microcarriers with Superior Mechanical Properties for Potential Active Delivery in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods

Researchers developed an eco-friendly microcapsule made with a calcium carbonate shell as a sustainable replacement for conventional microplastic-based capsules used in consumer products. These new capsules demonstrated record-breaking mechanical strength and controlled release of fragrance compounds over several days. The innovation offers a path toward eliminating microplastic ingredients in everyday products like laundry detergents and personal care items.

2025 Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Synthesis and characterization of biobased capsules formed from interpenetrating networks of alginate and poly(ethylene glycol) for the encapsulation of blue dye

This study synthesized biodegradable capsules from alginate and polyethylene glycol interpenetrating networks as an alternative to formaldehyde-based microcapsules used in laundry detergents, demonstrating effective encapsulation of blue dye while eliminating toxic and non-biodegradable components that contribute to microplastic ocean pollution.

2025 Scientific Reports 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microencapsulation of High‐Content Actives Using Biodegradable Silk Materials

Researchers developed biodegradable silk fibroin microcapsules capable of encapsulating high concentrations of active ingredients through controlled protein assembly, offering a scalable alternative to conventional non-degradable plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and consumer care products.

2022 Small 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Cosmetics: Open Questions and Sustainable Opportunities

This review examines the role of microplastics in cosmetic products and the industry's transition toward sustainable alternatives as regulations tighten worldwide. Researchers surveyed the properties that make plastic particles useful in cosmetics, such as texture and appearance enhancement, alongside their environmental drawbacks. The study provides an overview of emerging bio-based and biodegradable replacement materials that could help the personal care industry eliminate microplastics from formulations.

2024 ChemSusChem 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Role of microalgae as a sustainable alternative of biopolymers and its application in industries

Not a microplastics paper — this review examines the potential of algae-derived biopolymers (such as alginate, carrageenan, and polyhydroxyalkanoates) as biodegradable, eco-friendly replacements for petroleum-based plastics, highlighting their advantages but noting challenges for large-scale production.

2023 Plant Science Today 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Surface Morphology-Enhanced Delivery of Bioinspired Eco-Friendly Microcapsules

Researchers developed biodegradable microcapsules made from proteins and biominerals as a sustainable replacement for the synthetic polymer microplastic particles used in many consumer products including cosmetics and paints. The capsules degraded naturally and performed comparably to conventional capsules in controlled release tests. Replacing non-biodegradable microcapsules with protein-mineral alternatives could significantly reduce microplastic pollution from consumer goods.

2022 ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Innovative Approaches to an Eco-Friendly Cosmetic Industry: A Review of Sustainable Ingredients

This review examines sustainable alternatives to conventional cosmetic ingredients, including plant-based, microbial, and recycled materials that could replace synthetic and potentially harmful components. While not directly about microplastics, cosmetic microbeads have been a significant source of microplastic pollution, and the push for eco-friendly ingredients helps reduce plastic particles entering waterways. The shift toward sustainable cosmetics is part of broader efforts to decrease human exposure to synthetic microparticles.

2024 Clean Technologies 72 citations
Article Tier 2

Strategy for the development of a new stick formula without microplastics

This study developed a microplastic-free cosmetic stick formula to replace polyethylene, which is commonly used in cosmetics as a structuring agent but passes through wastewater treatment plants and accumulates in aquatic environments. The researchers identified functional alternatives that maintained product performance, demonstrating that microplastic ingredients in personal care products can be eliminated through reformulation without sacrificing quality.

2024 Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic label in microencapsulation field – Consequence of shell material selection

This review examines whether microcapsules used in consumer products like laundry detergents and fabric conditioners should be classified as microplastics under proposed EU regulations. Many of these tiny polymer shells are not biodegradable and could persist in aquatic environments after product use, making their regulatory classification important for reducing intentional microplastic releases. The review argues that shell material selection is the key factor determining whether a microcapsule qualifies as a microplastic, with significant implications for product reformulation across the personal care industry.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Country-Specific Environmental Risks of Fragrance Encapsulates Used in Laundry Care Products

Fragrance encapsulates used in laundry detergents are tiny polymer shells that enter waterways during washing. This study estimated their environmental concentrations in freshwater, sediment, and soil and assessed associated risks, finding that these plastic-like particles represent an underappreciated source of microplastic pollution.

2021 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 10 citations