Sustainable polymers from renewable resources

Zhu, Yunqing; Romain, Charles; Williams, Charlotte K.

doi:10.1038/nature21001

Cited by 2,762biodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesPolymer composites and self-healingBioeconomy and Sustainability Development

Sustainable polymers from renewable resources

Zhu, Yunqing, Romain, Charles, Williams, Charlotte K.·2016·Nature

DOI 10.1038/nature21001

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Abstract

Renewable resources are used increasingly in the production of polymers. In particular, monomers such as carbon dioxide, terpenes, vegetable oils and carbohydrates can be used as feedstocks for the manufacture of a variety of sustainable materials and products, including elastomers, plastics, hydrogels, flexible electronics, resins, engineering polymers and composites. Efficient catalysis is required to produce monomers, to facilitate selective polymerizations and to enable recycling or upcycling of waste materials. There are opportunities to use such sustainable polymers in both high-value areas and in basic applications such as packaging. Life-cycle assessment can be used to quantify the environmental benefits of sustainable polymers.

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[12]12. This review provides a techno-environmental assessment of bio-based polymers and monomers.

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Authors: Zhu, Y., Romain, C., & Williams, C. K.
Affiliations: University of Oxford (GB)
Imperial College London (GB)
Corresponding author: Williams, Charlotte K.
ORCID: Zhu, Yunqing
Romain, Charles
Williams, Charlotte K.
Venue: Nature
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2016-12-14
Volume: 540
Issue: 7633
Pages: 354-362
ISSN: 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
1476-4687
DOI: 10.1038/nature21001
OpenAlex: W2483057761
Cited by: 2,762
References: 97
Citations by year: 2026: 231 · 2025: 309 · 2024: 324 · 2023: 385 · 2022: 353 · 2021: 315 · 2020: 328 · 2019: 250 · 2018: 189 · 2017: 77
FWCI: 9.23
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
www.springer.com/tdm (vor)
Locations: Nature (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Spiral (Imperial College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders: China Scholarship Council
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/C544838/1, EP/H046380/1, EP/M013839/1, EP/K035274/1, EP/L017393/1, EP/K014676/1, EP/K014668/1)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer composites and self-healing
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development
Keywords: sustainable polymers, renewable resources, terpenes, vegetable oils, carbohydrates, elastomers, hydrogels, flexible electronics, resins, engineering polymers, composite materials, polymer catalysis, selective polymerization, waste recycling, upcycling, packaging, life cycle assessment
MeSH terms: Carbohydrates, Carbon Dioxide, Conservation of Natural Resources, Elasticity, Electronics, Plant Oils, Plants, Plastics, Polymers, Terpenes, Hydrogels

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