Making Polymers with Low Carbon Content is a Sustainable Option

Abstract

To copy with the challenges of the general polymer materials that rely on petroleum and produce pollution, we advocate 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 is 5/6, weight percentage is 49.4 %) for low-carbon polymers that integrate non-edible biomass-based feedstocks, CO₂, and industrial carbon/sulfur waste (i.e. low-carbon monomers) with molecular design innovations, balancing performance/function with degradation/recycling potential. We discuss unique characteristics of these low-carbon polymers compared to conventional “carbon-rich” polymers, while highlighting represent examples of PLA, PHA and PPC that are on the way to commercialization. This perspective also addresses the critical challenges: cost-effective synthesis, new catalyst/initiator, and regulation of structure-property relationship with particular emphasis on the industrialization of CO₂ and biomass-based polymers.