Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new leaf-inspired bioplastic that is stronger and biodegradable at room temperature.Traditional plastics cause pollution and microplastics harm food and water supplies. Bioplastics aim to address these issues but often lack strength and require high-temperature composting.
The team introduced cellulose nanofibers into bioplastics, inspired by the structure of leaves’ cellulose-rich cell walls. Joshua Yuan, professor at WashU, explained, “We created a multilayer structure with cellulose in the middle and bioplastics on both sides.” This design results in a material that is both strong and multifunctional.
Their approach improved the strength and biodegradability of polyhydroxybutrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA), two common bioplastics. Their recent study published in Nature Communications details these advancements. The new bioplastic, called LEAFF, is suitable for packaging and decomposes naturally at room temperature. It also offers low permeability for air and water, keeping food fresh, and provides a printable surface.
Dr. Puneet Dhatt, first author of the study, said, “LEAFF’s cellulose structure gives it higher tensile strength than traditional plastics like polyethylene.” The design mimics natural biomaterials, embedding cellulose fibrils within the bioplastics to overcome previous limitations.
Yuan envisions scaling this technology, leveraging the U.S.’s strong agricultural base for low-cost feedstock like corn and starch fermentation products. The U.S. could lead the global bioplastics market and promote a circular economy, reusing waste to produce useful materials.
The research was supported by NSF and the U.S. Department of Energy, aiming to create sustainable, biodegradable packaging solutions that benefit the environment and economy.
