Development of bio-based polymeric blends - a comprehensive review

The current impetus to develop bio-based polymers for greater sustainability and lower carbon footprint is necessitated due to the alarming depletion of fossil resources, concurrent global warming, and related environmental issues. This article reviews the development of polymeric blends based on bio-based polymers. The focus on bio-based polymers is due to their greater 'Sustainability factor' as they are derived from renewable resources. The article delves into the synthesis of both conventional and highly biodegradable bio-based polymers, each crafted from feedstocks derived from nature's bounty. What sets this work apart is the exploration of blending existing bio-based polymers, culminating in the birth of entirely new materials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in the development of bio-based polymeric blends, covering their synthesis, properties, applications, and potential contributions to a more sustainable future. Despite their potential benefits, bio-based materials face obstacles such as miscibility, processability issues and disparities in physical properties compared to conventional counterparts. The paper also discusses significance of compatibilizers, additives and future directions for the further advancement of these bio-based blends. While bio-based polymer blends hold promise for environmentally benign applications, many are still in the research phase. Ongoing research and technological innovations are driving the evolution of these blends as viable alternatives, but continued efforts are needed to ensure their successful integration into mainstream industrial practices. Concerted efforts from both researchers and industry stakeholders are essential to realize the full potential of bio-based polymers and accelerate their adoption on a global scale.

Tailoring the Barrier Properties of PLA: A State-of-the-Art Review for Food Packaging Applications

It is now well recognized that the production of petroleum-based packaging materials has created serious ecological problems for the environment due to their resistance to biodegradation. In this context, substantial research efforts have been made to promote the use of biodegradable films as sustainable alternatives to conventionally used packaging materials. Among several biopolymers, poly(lactide) (PLA) has found early application in the food industry thanks to its promising properties and is currently one of the most industrially produced bioplastics. However, more efforts are needed to enhance its performance and expand its applicability in this field, as packaging materials need to meet precise functional requirements such as suitable thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties. In particular, improving the mass transfer properties of materials to water vapor, oxygen, and/or carbon dioxide plays a very important role in maintaining food quality and safety, as the rate of typical food degradation reactions (i.e., oxidation, microbial development, and physical reactions) can be greatly reduced. Since most reviews dealing with the properties of PLA have mainly focused on strategies to improve its thermal and mechanical properties, this work aims to review relevant strategies to tailor the barrier properties of PLA-based materials, with the ultimate goal of providing a general guide for the design of PLA-based packaging materials with the desired mass transfer properties.