Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Nanocelulosas producidas por un proceso de oxidación no convencional: interacciones y aplicaciones

This study developed cellulose micro/nanofibers from plant cell walls using unconventional oxidation and mechanical processes, producing biodegradable biomaterials proposed as renewable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics that generate microplastic pollution.

2024 Tesis Doctorals en Xarxa (Consorci de Serveis Universitaris de Catalunya)
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

Synthetic lignin-like and degradable nanocarriers

Scientists synthesized biodegradable nanocarriers from bio-based lignin-like building blocks, creating materials that can be broken down by fungal enzymes and could deliver agrochemicals to crops. Developing biodegradable delivery systems could reduce the plastic packaging waste that eventually fragments into microplastics.

2021 Polymer Chemistry 15 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

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

Renewable cellulosic nanocomposites for food packaging to avoid fossil fuel plastic pollution: a review

Researchers reviewed how cellulose nanoparticles extracted from plant biomass can replace petroleum-based plastics in food packaging, finding that adding just 1–5% cellulose nanoparticles significantly improves strength, reduces oxygen and water vapor permeability, and keeps packaging biodegradable. The review positions cellulose nanocomposites as a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to fossil-fuel plastics that contribute to microplastic pollution.

2020 Environmental Chemistry Letters 222 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

Biodegradable carboxymethyl cellulose based material for sustainable packaging application

Researchers converted sugarcane agricultural waste into carboxymethyl cellulose and blended it with gelatin and agar to create a biodegradable plastic film suitable for food packaging, demonstrating a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional petroleum-based packaging materials.

2020 Scientific Reports 248 citations
Article Tier 2

Waterless production of cellulose nanofibrils adopting DBD oxygen plasma

Researchers developed a waterless process for producing cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) oxygen plasma treatment, eliminating the solvent-intensive steps typical of conventional CNF production. The approach leverages the highly reactive hydroxyl groups on cellulose to enable surface functionalization while supporting circular economy goals for biodegradable composite materials.

2024 Research Square (Research Square)
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

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) mediated production of ultra-fine cellulose nanofibres from delignified softwood fibres

Researchers developed an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly method for producing cellulose nanofibres from delignified softwood using lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs). The enzymatic approach enables the production of ultra-fine cellulose nanofibres as a bio-based material alternative.

2019 Green Chemistry 98 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
Review Tier 2

Lignocellulosic biomass from agricultural waste to the circular economy: a review with focus on biofuels, biocomposites and bioplastics

This review examines how agricultural waste rich in lignocellulose can be converted into biofuels, biocomposites, and bioplastics as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. Recent advances in biorefinery technology have improved the ability to process plant-based waste into a range of useful materials. Replacing conventional plastics with bioplastics from agricultural waste could help reduce both plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

2023 Journal of Cleaner Production 969 citations
Article Tier 2

Processing of bio-based photocatalytic sponge-like structures containing C,N-TiO2 colloidally dispersed onto cellulose nanofibers for microplastic remediation

Researchers immobilized C,N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst onto cellulose nanofiber sponges derived from agricultural biomass, creating a bio-based photocatalytic material that degrades microplastics under light while being easily recoverable without centrifugation or filtration.

2025 Journal of Environmental Management 2 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

Cellulose nanofiber-based electrode as a component of an enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cell

Researchers developed a flexible, biodegradable biofuel cell using cellulose nanofiber electrodes as a plastic-free alternative for wearable sensors. The device performed comparably to plastic-based equivalents and is readily disposable like paper, offering a path toward reducing microplastic contamination from disposable electronic devices.

2020 RSC Advances 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanofibrilation of alkali-pretreated cellulose fiber using grinding treatment

This study investigated how strong alkali pretreatment affects the production of cellulose nanofibrils through mechanical grinding, finding it shifts cellulose crystal structure and removes hemicellulose. The resulting cellulose nanofibrils are promising as biodegradable, high-performance replacements for petroleum-based materials in packaging and composites.

2023 2 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

Surface and Interface Engineering for Nanocellulosic Advanced Materials

This review examines how nanocellulose — nanoscale fibrils derived from plant cell walls — can be engineered for surface and interface properties to create strong, sustainable materials as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics.

2020 Advanced Materials 469 citations
Article Tier 2

On the mineralization of nanocellulose to produce functional hybrid materials

Researchers reviewed the mineralization of nanocellulose to create functional hybrid materials, finding that nanocellulose-based building blocks enable a new class of high-performance, sustainable materials through controlled mineral deposition.

2022 Journal of Materials Chemistry A 22 citations
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

Effect of the Addition of Fique Bagasse Cellulose Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Structural Properties of Plastic Flexible Films from Cassava Starch

This paper is not about microplastics — it develops biodegradable flexible films from cassava starch reinforced with cellulose nanoparticles derived from fique plant waste, focusing on sustainable packaging material properties.

2023 Polymers 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Wet-Spun Composite Filaments from Lignocellulose Nanofibrils/Alginate and Their Physico-Mechanical Properties

Researchers developed composite fibers from lignocellulose nanofibrils and alginate, examining how varying lignin content affects the fibers' properties and biodegradability. These bio-based materials represent a sustainable alternative to synthetic plastic fibers, which contribute to microplastic pollution through textile washing and degradation.

2021 Polymers 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Carbon nanotubes production from real-world waste plastics and the pyrolysis behaviour

Researchers produced carbon nanotubes from real-world waste plastics through pyrolysis, characterizing the thermal decomposition behavior of mixed plastic waste and demonstrating a valuable upcycling pathway for plastic pollution.

2023 Waste Management 49 citations