Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Development of bio-composite mulch film from cotton gin wastes: Study of pesticide residue and outdoor stability and degradation

Researchers developed biodegradable mulch films made from cotton gin waste — an agricultural byproduct — combined with polycaprolactone, and showed they can remain stable during a growing season while degrading more readily than conventional plastic films. Replacing non-degradable plastic mulch, which fragments into soil microplastics, with truly biodegradable alternatives is an important step toward reducing agricultural plastic pollution.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable UV-Protective Composite Film from Cellulosic Waste: Utilisation of Cotton Gin Motes as Biocomponent

Researchers developed biodegradable composite films by compounding cotton gin mote waste powder (up to 50% by weight) with polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene glycol plasticizer, using a solvent-free melt extrusion process. The resulting films exhibited UV-shielding properties from lignin in the cotton waste, with 9.5 MPa yield strength and 442% elongation, offering a renewable alternative to non-biodegradable plastic films.

2023 Polymers 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Conversion of low-quality cotton to bioplastics

Researchers converted low-quality cotton fibers unsuitable for textile use into bioplastics as an eco-friendly alternative to petrochemical plastics, demonstrating a method to reduce microplastic contamination by substituting conventional plastics with bio-based materials.

2021 Cellulose 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Utilization of Mango Seed Starch in the Manufacture of Polyester-Based Bioplastics

This materials science paper is not primarily about environmental microplastics; it investigates using mango seed starch as a filler in polyester-based bioplastic composites, aiming to produce biodegradable plastics from agricultural waste as a more sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics.

2026
Article Tier 2

Production of Biodegradable Polymeric Composites with the Addition of Waste

Researchers produced biodegradable polymer composites using glycerol, starch, and macauba epicarp fiber at varying loadings (10-30%), evaluating mechanical properties, water solubility, and biodegradability. Using agricultural waste fiber as reinforcement in biopolymer composites offers a more sustainable approach to reducing petroleum-based plastic use.

2023 Materials 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Bio-Polyester/Rubber Compounds: Fabrication, Characterization, and Biodegradation

This paper is not about microplastics; it investigates biodegradable bioplastic blends made from polyhydroxybutyrate and natural rubber as potential alternatives to fossil-based plastics.

2023 Polymers 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Towards the Sustainability of the Plastic Industry through Biopolymers: Properties and Potential Applications to the Textiles World

This review explored the potential of biopolymers as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics in the textile industry, covering applications in spinning, dyeing, and finishing processes to reduce microplastic pollution from synthetic textiles.

2022 Polymers 117 citations
Article Tier 2

Sustainable biomaterials based on cellulose, chitin and chitosan composites - A review

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.

2021 Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications 117 citations
Article Tier 2

Sorbitol-Based Biodegradable Plastics from Rubberized Cassava Starch and Tofu Dregs Starch

Not relevant to microplastics — this study develops biodegradable plastic from cassava starch and tofu dregs with sorbitol as a plasticizer, focused on creating a petroleum-free alternative material rather than addressing microplastic contamination.

2024 Journal of Ecological Engineering 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Scalable Biosynthesis and Recovery of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Produced from Cotton-Derived Glucose by Cupriavidus necator

Researchers used cotton-derived glucose as feedstock for biosynthesis of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) by Cupriavidus necator in a 2-L bioreactor, finding that cotton-derived glucose produced more P3HB than commercial glucose with comparable thermal properties. A single-solvent extraction method was developed to simplify polymer recovery, supporting the potential for scaling up bio-based, biodegradable plastic production.

2025 Polymers
Article Tier 2

Improvement of the Ductility of Environmentally Friendly Poly(lactide) Composites with Posidonia oceanica Wastes Plasticized with an Ester of Cinnamic Acid

This paper is not about microplastics; it describes the development of biodegradable poly(lactide) composites reinforced with seagrass fibers and a natural plasticizer for use as sustainable materials.

2023 Polymers 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanocellulose Hybrid Lignin Complex Reinforces Cellulose to Form a Strong, Water-Stable Lignin–Cellulose Composite Usable as a Plastic Replacement

This study developed a strong, water-stable composite material made from cellulose and lignin extracted from agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse), as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. The lignin-cellulose composite showed dramatically improved wet strength compared to regular cellulose sheets, demonstrating potential as a biodegradable plastic replacement that would not generate persistent microplastic pollution.

2021 Nanomaterials 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of physical properties of microalgae‐pectin‐based bio‐composite with addition of pine needle for environmental application

This paper is not directly about microplastics — it investigates the physical properties of a bio-composite material made from microalgae, pectin, and pine needles as a potential alternative to petroleum-based plastics, without studying microplastic pollution or environmental impacts.

2024 Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhanced Marine Biodegradation of Polycaprolactone through Incorporation of Mucus Bubble Powder from Violet Sea Snail as Protein Fillers

Researchers developed a new biodegradable composite by incorporating mucus bubble powder from the violet sea snail into polycaprolactone, a marine-degradable plastic. They found that adding this natural protein filler significantly accelerated the biodegradation rate of the material in seawater environments. The study suggests this novel bio-derived approach could help address ocean microplastic pollution by creating plastics that break down more quickly in marine settings.

2024 Polymers 12 citations
Article Tier 2

El desarrollo de plástico biodegradable a partir del cáñamo por estímulo microbiano

Researchers developed a biodegradable plastic using hemp (Cannabis sativa) fiber in conjunction with microbial stimulation, exploiting the structural properties of the hemp stalk fiber as a biopolymer matrix. The study demonstrated the technical feasibility of producing plant-derived bioplastics as an alternative to petroleum-based polymers contributing to microplastic pollution.

2024 Revista Tecnología en Marcha
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

Recent Advances in Sustainable Plastic Upcycling and Biopolymers

This review argues that sustainable biopolymers, produced from renewable resources via biological or hybrid chemical-biological processes, represent the most promising long-term solution to the plastic pollution crisis and climate-related concerns about fossil-fuel-derived plastics. Key challenges include achieving the mechanical properties, production costs, and large-scale manufacturing needed to replace conventional plastics.

2020 Biotechnology Journal 142 citations
Article Tier 2

Scalable Biosynthesis & Recovery of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Produced from Cotton-Derived Glucose by Ralstonia eutropha

Researchers optimised the biosynthesis and recovery of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate using cotton-derived glucose as a substrate with Ralstonia eutropha, addressing the high production costs that limit large-scale use of this biodegradable biopolymer alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

2025 Preprints.org
Article Tier 2

Poly(ε-caprolactone-co-ε-decalactone)/carbon black or carbon nanofiber composites. Synthesis, morphological, and thermal/electrical properties

Researchers synthesized poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-epsilon-decalactone) copolymers and incorporated carbon black or carbon nanofibers to produce biodegradable composites with tunable thermal and electrical properties. The study characterized morphology, thermal behavior, and electrical conductivity of these composites, demonstrating their potential as bio-based alternatives to fossil-derived plastics in electronics applications.

2025 RSC Advances
Article Tier 2

Bio-Based Materials for Packaging

This review evaluates bio-based materials as sustainable alternatives for plastic packaging, examining the environmental performance, mechanical properties, and commercial viability of biopolymers in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.

2022 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 30 citations