Biomimetic layered, ecological, advanced, multi-functional film for sustainable packaging
Abstract Plastic pollution is one of most daunting sustainability challenges. Multi-functional and biodegradable plastics are critical for both desirable end-of-life outcomes and petrochemical plastics replacement. Current bioplastics are either: short of mechanical properties, like polyhydroxybutyr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61693-2 |
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| author | Puneet S. Dhatt Acadia Hu Cheng Hu Vincent Huynh Susie Y. Dai Joshua S. Yuan |
| author_facet | Puneet S. Dhatt Acadia Hu Cheng Hu Vincent Huynh Susie Y. Dai Joshua S. Yuan |
| author_sort | Puneet S. Dhatt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Plastic pollution is one of most daunting sustainability challenges. Multi-functional and biodegradable plastics are critical for both desirable end-of-life outcomes and petrochemical plastics replacement. Current bioplastics are either: short of mechanical properties, like polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB); lack room temperature biodegradability, like polylactic acid (PLA); or lack the functionality to create additional values. Here, we present the bioinspired Layered, Ecological, Advanced, and multi-Functional Film (LEAFF), for sustainable plastic packaging. This biomimetic composite, based on the structure of the natural plant leaf, synergistically improves mechanical strength while empowering PLA for rapid ambient soil biodegradability, achieving complete degradation in 5 weeks. The film is also highly transparent and water stable, and achieves high gas barrier properties to improve food shelf life and reduce waste. The biomimetic design showcases the synergistic advantage leveraged by the LEAFF’s multilayer structure to enhance mechanical performance while simultaneously retaining biodegradability and achieving multifunctionality for broad applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c10a88b4cec649d39f993af22d8d2a11 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-c10a88b4cec649d39f993af22d8d2a112025-08-20T04:03:06ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111110.1038/s41467-025-61693-2Biomimetic layered, ecological, advanced, multi-functional film for sustainable packagingPuneet S. Dhatt0Acadia Hu1Cheng Hu2Vincent Huynh3Susie Y. Dai4Joshua S. Yuan5Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. LouisDepartment of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. LouisSynthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub and Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M UniversityDepartment of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. LouisCarbon Utilization Redesign for Biomanufacturing (CURB) Engineering Research CenterDepartment of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. LouisAbstract Plastic pollution is one of most daunting sustainability challenges. Multi-functional and biodegradable plastics are critical for both desirable end-of-life outcomes and petrochemical plastics replacement. Current bioplastics are either: short of mechanical properties, like polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB); lack room temperature biodegradability, like polylactic acid (PLA); or lack the functionality to create additional values. Here, we present the bioinspired Layered, Ecological, Advanced, and multi-Functional Film (LEAFF), for sustainable plastic packaging. This biomimetic composite, based on the structure of the natural plant leaf, synergistically improves mechanical strength while empowering PLA for rapid ambient soil biodegradability, achieving complete degradation in 5 weeks. The film is also highly transparent and water stable, and achieves high gas barrier properties to improve food shelf life and reduce waste. The biomimetic design showcases the synergistic advantage leveraged by the LEAFF’s multilayer structure to enhance mechanical performance while simultaneously retaining biodegradability and achieving multifunctionality for broad applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61693-2 |
| spellingShingle | Puneet S. Dhatt Acadia Hu Cheng Hu Vincent Huynh Susie Y. Dai Joshua S. Yuan Biomimetic layered, ecological, advanced, multi-functional film for sustainable packaging Nature Communications |
| title | Biomimetic layered, ecological, advanced, multi-functional film for sustainable packaging |
| title_full | Biomimetic layered, ecological, advanced, multi-functional film for sustainable packaging |
| title_fullStr | Biomimetic layered, ecological, advanced, multi-functional film for sustainable packaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomimetic layered, ecological, advanced, multi-functional film for sustainable packaging |
| title_short | Biomimetic layered, ecological, advanced, multi-functional film for sustainable packaging |
| title_sort | biomimetic layered ecological advanced multi functional film for sustainable packaging |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61693-2 |
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