Biodegradable chito-beads replacing non-biodegradable microplastics for cosmetics

Sungbin Ju, Giyoung Shin, Minkyung Lee, Jun Mo Koo, Hyeonyeol Jeon, Yong Sik Ok, Dong Soo Hwang, Sung Yeon Hwang, Dongyeop X. Oh, Jeyoung Park

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

The global ban on plastic microbeads for personal care products has forced researchers to find sustainable alternatives. However, current biodegradable microbeads rarely offer competitive qualities such as those related to the mechanical properties, stability, and toxicity of their degraded products. Herein, we synthesized ‘chito-beads’, which can satisfy the aforementioned requirements, and evaluated their practical usage, biodegradability, and phytotoxicity. Chito-beads were made into uniform spherical microbeads with a diameter of 280 μm through the reacetylation of chitosan - a renewable polymer from crustacean wasteviaan inverse emulsion system. Chito-beads exhibit a higher cleansing efficiency than conventional polyethylene microbeads, with a hardness of 128 MPa. Furthermore, they can be used to remove potentially toxic elements and are stable and functional in commercial cleansing. The used chito-beads were fully degraded in soils without any toxicity to the model plants. Our alternative can be used as competitive and environmentally friendly microparticles in sustainable daily necessities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6953-6965
Number of pages13
JournalGreen Chemistry
Volume23
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Sep 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021.

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