Papers

61,005 results
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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

Properties and Applications of Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers – a Brief Review

This review examines the properties and applications of natural lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced composites as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fiber composites. Natural fiber composites are biodegradable alternatives to glass and carbon fiber plastics, which can generate microplastic debris when they break down.

2023 Journal of Engineering Research 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellulose Nanofibrils Dewatered with Poly(Lactic Acid) for Improved Bio-Polymer Nanocomposite Processing

This paper is not about environmental microplastics; it describes a manufacturing process for combining cellulose nanofibers with polylactic acid (a biodegradable bioplastic) to make stronger composite materials, with no relevance to plastic pollution or human health risk.

2024 Nanomaterials 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Enzymatic Preparation and Characterization of Spherical Microparticles Composed of Artificial Lignin and TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofiber

Scientists developed a one-pot enzymatic process to create submicron particles from plant-derived materials (lignin and cellulose nanofibers). While focused on bio-based materials rather than plastics, this type of work supports the development of biodegradable alternatives to synthetic microplastic-generating materials.

2021 Nanomaterials 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Lignin beyond the status quo: recent and emerging composite applications

This review examines recent advances in using lignin, a natural plant polymer, as a component in composite materials across various industries. Researchers highlight how lignin-based composites can serve as biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics in packaging, construction, and other applications. The study suggests that scaling up lignin-based materials could help reduce dependence on petroleum-derived plastics and the resulting microplastic pollution.

2023 Green Chemistry 114 citations
Article Tier 2

High-strength alginate fibers wet-spun from pre-crosslinked sodium alginate solutions

Scientists developed a new method for making stronger alginate fibers from seaweed-derived materials as a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based synthetic fibers. The resulting fibers had breaking strength of 474 MPa, exceeding most plant-based fibers without additives. Replacing synthetic fibers like polyester with biodegradable alternatives is important because synthetic textiles are one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution through washing and wear.

2024 Carbohydrate Polymers 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Lignin-Based Nanofibrous Membranes for Microplastic Adsorption and Closed-Loop Utilization with Triboelectric Functionalization

Researchers developed nanofibrous membranes made from lignin—a wood-derived byproduct—and demonstrated their ability to adsorb microplastics from water, then repurposed the used membranes as triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting. The closed-loop system converted adsorbed-microplastic membranes into functional energy devices, offering a dual-purpose approach that addresses both plastic waste removal and sustainable energy generation.

2025 ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Article Tier 2

Green synthesis of lignin nano- and micro-particles: Physicochemical characterization, bioactive properties and cytotoxicity assessment.

This study produced lignin nanoparticles and microparticles using a green synthesis method and characterized their properties, finding they have good thermal stability and bioactive characteristics. While focused on biomaterial applications rather than pollution, lignin-based particles represent a potential biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic microbeads used in consumer products.

2020 International journal of biological macromolecules
Article Tier 2

Lignin Utilization for the Removal of Microplastic Particles from Water

Lignin extracted from agricultural waste and municipal solid waste was tested as an adsorbent for removing various types of microplastics from wastewater, showing promising results. Using lignin — a widely available and renewable byproduct — for microplastic removal could offer a low-cost, sustainable approach to improving wastewater treatment.

2023 INMATEH Agricultural Engineering 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Performance Spectrum of Home-Compostable Biopolymer Fibers Compared to a Petrochemical Alternative

Researchers compared home-compostable biopolymer fibers to conventional petrochemical alternatives, evaluating their mechanical performance and degradability to assess whether biobased materials can serve as viable substitutes that reduce microplastic pollution.

2023 Polymers 14 citations
Article Tier 2

High-performance biodegradable poly(lactic acid) composites with xylan and lignin copolymer

Researchers developed high-performance biodegradable poly(lactic acid) composites by incorporating xylan and lignin derived from lignocellulosic biomass, improving PLA mechanical properties and addressing its brittleness limitations while maintaining biodegradability as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Article Tier 2

Advances in Lignin-Based Hybrid Nanomaterials as a Sustainable Approach for Water Treatment

This review examines advances in lignin-based hybrid nanomaterials for water treatment applications, covering functionalized lignin nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and polymer nanocomposites as sustainable materials for removing contaminants from water.

2025 IntechOpen eBooks
Article Tier 2

Seawater-degradable, tough, and fully bio-derived nonwoven polyester fibres reinforced with mechanically defibrated cellulose nanofibres

Researchers developed a fully bio-derived bioplastic fiber combining PHBH polymer with cellulose nanofibers that degrades in seawater while maintaining good mechanical properties, offering a promising alternative to conventional synthetic fibers that shed persistent microplastics.

2022 Environmental Science Nano 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Nano/Micro Hybrid Bamboo Fibrous Preforms for Robust Biodegradable Fiber Reinforced Plastics

Researchers created strong, eco-friendly composite materials by combining nano- and micro-scale fibers from bamboo, producing a biodegradable plastic alternative with improved mechanical properties. This work contributes to developing sustainable materials that could replace conventional petroleum-based plastics and reduce microplastic generation.

2021 Polymers 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Lignin-driven valorization of lignocellulosic biomass to functional biochar for advanced wastewater remediation: A review

A study explored how lignin-derived materials from lignocellulosic biomass can be valorized into functional products as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Expanding bio-based alternatives is a key strategy for reducing the production of plastics that eventually become environmental microplastic pollutants.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable, Flexible and Ultraviolet Blocking Nanocellulose Composite Film Incorporated with Lignin Nanoparticles

Composite films combining cellulose nanofibrils with lignin nanoparticles from two isolation methods were fabricated, producing biodegradable, flexible materials with strong UV-blocking performance suitable as plastic film replacements. The lignin-CNF composites achieved UV absorbance through the natural chromophore properties of lignin without requiring synthetic UV additives.

2022 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Functional Electrospun Membranes From Renewable Lignin for Clean Air Applications

Researchers developed sustainable lignin-based electrospun nanofibrous membranes incorporating triclosan for high-efficiency air filtration, demonstrating that renewable biopolymer-derived membranes can achieve antibacterial properties alongside effective capture of airborne particles including microplastics.

2025 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
Article Tier 2

Force-Induced Alignment of Nanofibrillated Bacterial Cellulose for the Enhancement of Cellulose Composite Macrofibers

This paper is not about microplastics; it describes a method for making strong biodegradable fibers from bacterial cellulose using ionic liquid spinning as a potential replacement for petroleum-based plastics in textiles.

2023 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of Lignin and Polymeric Diphenylmethane Diisocyante Addition on the Properties of Poly(butylene succinate)/Wood Flour Composite

Researchers developed biodegradable composite materials by blending poly(butylene succinate) with wood flour, studying how wood content affects mechanical properties. This biobased material research is relevant to developing plastic alternatives that would reduce long-term microplastic accumulation in the environment.

2019 Polymers 22 citations
Article Tier 2

The Effect of Glycerin Concentration on Mechanical Properties of Sodium Alginate- and Gelatin-based Biofabrics

Researchers evaluated the effect of varying glycerin concentration on the mechanical properties of sodium alginate- and gelatin-based biofabrics, testing tensile strength, torsional strength, and flexural response as potential sustainable alternatives to conventional textiles. Findings characterised the relationship between plasticiser content and biofabric performance, informing the design of eco-friendly materials to address fast fashion's environmental footprint.

2025
Article Tier 2

Sustainable Materials from Organosolv Fibers and Lignin, Kraft Fibers, and Their Blends

Researchers investigated sustainable composite materials made from organosolv fibers, organosolv lignin, kraft fibers, and their blends as bio-based alternatives to conventional materials. The study characterized fiber properties, fines content, and handsheet mechanical performance to evaluate the potential of organosolv processing for producing functional natural fiber materials.

2024 Polymers 5 citations
Article Tier 2

A Mini Review of Natural Cellulosic Fibers: Extraction, Treatment and Characterization Methods

This paper is not about microplastics; it reviews methods for extracting, treating, and characterizing natural plant-derived cellulose fibers as sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials in composites and textiles.

2023 Journal of Computers Mechanical and Management 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microbial nanocellulose biotextiles for a circular materials economy

Researchers developed sustainable biotextiles from microbial nanocellulose combined with ancient textile techniques, creating rapidly renewable, low-toxicity, and biodegradable materials as circular economy alternatives to synthetic plastic-based fabrics.

2022 Environmental Science Advances 26 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