In recent years, with the development of the society, the problem of environmental pollution and control has become the focus of more and more attention. At the same time, the rising international crude oil price and the shortage of resources have also brought great pressure to the energy industry. In this context, a series of new materials have emerged to promote green and sustainable development while reducing environmental pollution. Biomaterials are one of them.

1.What is a biomaterial?

Biological base material is the grains, legumes, straw, bamboo and wood powder and other renewable biomass as a raw material, through biological transformation of biological polymer or monomer, then further polymerization of polymer materials.  

Biomass materials including through biological synthesis, biological processing and biological refining process of alcohol, organic acid, alkane and olefin bio-based chemicals, and biological plastic, biological base fiber, sugar, engineering products, biological base of rubber and plastic materials is obtained by biomass thermoplastic processing, etc.

2. Application of biomaterials

There are many applications of biomaterials. Biological materials can be used in our daily life, such as packaging materials and disposable daily necessities. At the same time, biomaterials can also be used in biomedical materials, as well as high technical content and high value-added pharmaceutical controlled release materials and bone fixation materials.

Bio-based plastics

As one of the largest species of biodegradable materials, biodegradable and non-biodegradable biodegradable plastics can be divided into two types according to their degradation properties. Biodegradable bio-based plastics including polylactic acid, poly hydroxy alkyl esters, carbon dioxide copolymer, dibasic acid glycol copolyesters, polyvinyl alcohol, etc., non biodegradable bio-based plastics including polyethylene, nylon, polyurethane, etc.

At present our country's technology research and development are mainly composed of biodegradable biomaterials plastic, due to its pollution-free production process, can be biodegradable, implementation cycle in nature, so is the ideal green polymer material! The following is a brief introduction to several biodegradable biomaterials.

1. Polylactic acid

Polylactic acid, also known as polypropyl cross-ester, is a polymer synthesized from lactic acid, mainly from corn, cassava and other materials. Polylactic acid has good thermal stability, solvent resistance and can be processed in many ways. Made from polylactic acid products in addition to being able to biodegradation, also has good biocompatibility, gloss, transparency, feel, and heat resistance, and has certain bacteria resistance, flame retardant and ultraviolet resistance, the use is very wide, can be used as packaging materials, such as fiber and nonwoven fabric, now it is mainly used for clothing, underwear, clothing), industry (construction, agriculture, forestry, paper) and health care and other fields.

2. Polyhydroxy fatty acid ester

Polyhydroxy fatty acid ester is a kind of intracellular polyester synthesized by many bacteria. It has good biodegradability, biocompatibility, optical activity, piezoelectricity and gas separation. Polyhydroxy fatty acid ester can be used in biodegradable packaging materials, tissue engineering materials, slow release materials, electrical materials and medical materials, but at the same time it also has a high production cost.

3. Polyhexyl ester

Polycaprolactone is a kind of polyurethane, which is made from dac-hexoester as a catalyst for metallic organic compounds (such as tetraphenyl tin) and dihydroxyl or trihydroxyl as initiator, and belongs to polymerized polyester. PCL has good biocompatibility, biodegradability, solvent solubility, high crystallinity and low melting point. Its application field is very wide, including controlled release drug carrier, cell, tissue culture medium rack, completely biodegradable plastic surgical suture, high strength film filamentous molding, plastic low-temperature impact properties of modifier and plasticizer, medical molding materials, industrial, fine arts modelling materials, toys, organic colorants, hot carbon ink adhesion agent, hot melt adhesive, etc.

4. Prospects of biomaterials

In today's "low carbon economy" environment, the development prospect of biomaterials is very optimistic. China xinda focuses on large-scale products of biomaterials, including lactic acid extraction, propionic ester synthesis, polylactic acid synthesis, polylactic acid composite, etc.

Compared with petroleum base material, bio-based materials mainly derived from plants, and reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and dependence on oil, its production process more green at the same time, the pursuit of environmental protection that accords with people. Due to its environmental friendliness, resource conservation and other characteristics, biomaterials will gradually become another emerging leading industry leading the world economic development and scientific and technological innovation.