Making polymers with low carbon content: a sustainable option

Abstract

To cope with the challenges posed by general polymer materials that rely on petroleum and generate pollution, we propose the partial substitution of carbon elements in polymers with oxygen (or other heteroatoms such as sulfur) and the use of biomass carbon to construct low-carbon polymers. The composition of natural cellulose can be used as a reference (O/C molar ratio of 5/6 and weight percentage of 49.4%) for low-carbon polymers that integrate non-edible biomass-based feedstocks, CO₂, and industrial carbon/sulfur waste (i.e. low-carbon monomers) through molecular design innovations, thereby balancing the performance/function with degradation/recycling potential. We discuss the unique characteristics of these low-carbon polymers in comparison to conventional “carbon-rich” polymers, highlighting the representative examples of PLA, PHA and PPC that are on the way to commercialization. This perspective also addresses the critical challenges of cost-effective synthesis, developing new catalysts/initiators, and the regulation of structure–property relationship, with particular emphasis on the industrialization of CO₂- and biomass-based polymers.