Advanced Composites and Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Polymers

Biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) have attracted global interest as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. However, their inherent brittleness, low melt strength and limited thermal stability often restrict broader application. To overcome these challenges, researchers have developed advanced composites by incorporating a variety of fillers and additives—ranging from carbon nanofibres and multi-walled carbon nanotubes to natural fibres, clays, titanium dioxide and fluoropolymer particles. These reinforcements can be physically or chemically bonded to the polymer matrix, improving stiffness, toughness, crystallisation kinetics and viscoelastic behaviour. Chain extenders and compatibilisers further enhance molecular weight and interfacial adhesion in polymer blends, enabling superior foamability under supercritical fluid foaming. Tailored microcellular structures deliver lightweight, high-strength foams with controlled cell size and density. Such materials demonstrate promising applications in packaging, biomedical devices, electromagnetic shielding and lightweight structural components, while contributing to reduced environmental impact through accelerated degradation under industrial or natural conditions.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have explored the influence of fluoropolymer particles on PBS-based composites. By melt blending PBS with three types of polytetrafluoroethylene powders, researchers achieved significant increases in crystallisation temperature and overall crystallinity without altering the crystal lattice. The addition of fibrillating PTFE yielded a composite with a one-order-of-magnitude rise in complex viscosity at low frequencies, improving melt strength. Subsequent supercritical CO₂ foaming produced microcellular foams featuring pore sizes reduced from tens of micrometres to single-digit micrometres and cell densities exceeding 10⁹ cells/cm³. These composite foams maintained hydrophobicity and exhibited enhanced mechanical integrity, underscoring the potential of fluoropolymer-reinforced biodegradable foams for advanced functional applications.

Advanced Composites and Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Polymers publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in advanced composites and mechanical properties of biodegradable polymers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biodegradable polymer: A polymer that can be broken down by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide and biomass under appropriate conditions.

Nanocomposite: A composite material containing fillers with at least one dimension in the nanometre range, which dramatically influence mechanical and thermal properties.

Storage modulus (G′): The elastic component of a material’s viscoelastic response, indicating its ability to store energy under deformation.

Complex viscosity (η*): A measure of a viscoelastic material’s resistance to flow under oscillatory shear, combining viscous and elastic behaviour.

Supercritical CO₂ foaming: A process employing carbon dioxide above its critical temperature and pressure to generate microcellular structures in polymers.

Compatibiliser/chain extender: An additive that enhances interfacial adhesion and molecular weight in polymer blends, improving mechanical strength and processability.

References

1. High-Strength Bio-Degradable Polymer Foams with Stable High Volume-Expansion Ratio Using Chain Extension and Green Supercritical Mixed-Gas Foaming. Polymers (2023).
2. The effect of polytetrafluoroethylene particle size on the properties of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate)-based composites. Scientific Reports (2021).
3. Mechanical, Crystallization, Rheological, and Supercritical CO2 Foaming Properties of Polybutylene Succinate Nanocomposites: Impact of Carbon Nanofiber Content. Polymers (2023).
4. Non-Isothermal Crystallization of Titanium-Dioxide-Incorporated Rice Straw Fiber/Poly(butylene succinate) Biocomposites. Polymers (2022).