Biodegradable cellulose ester blends: studies, compatibilization, biodegradable behavior, and applications. A review

Abstract

Growing plastic production, population, and consumption are driving increased environmental pollution and waste. Without change, 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste could fill landfills or natural environments by 2050. Moving beyond the fossil fuel era towards sustainability demands using advanced renewable materials that emit minimal, or net-zero carbon emissions. Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer found in nature, is a compelling foundation for designing functional materials. This review paper fills the void regarding the esterification of cellulose to obtain specific organic cellulose esters (CEs), its modification by incorporating agents for improved processability, and blending with biopolymers as a powerful method for obtaining materials with enhanced property-to-cost performance. Further investigation is necessary to delve into the correlations among miscibility, structure, and properties of these materials to fully exploit the potential of this approach. The miscibility of CEs with other biopolymers can vary, with partial or complete miscibility attributed to the chemical nature of polymers, hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. This variation is a key reason for studying current compatibilization strategies. This article aims to examine the advancements in strategies for compatibilizing CE blends with biodegradable polymers, along with exploring the biodegradation behavior and applications of both unmodified and modified blends.