Recent advances in poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT): structure, modification strategies, degradation, and sustainable applications

Description

Xinyue Wang and Jintang Guo review PBAT, a biodegradable polyester that pairs flexible fatty chains with stiff aromatic units to mimic the toughness of ordinary plastic while still breaking down. Their 2026 review covers the polymer's structure and physical behavior, how it degrades in soil, compost, and water, and the tweaks researchers use to fix its weaknesses.

Blending PBAT with other biodegradable polymers or natural macromolecules improves strength, processing, and barrier properties without giving up full biodegradability. Mineral fillers and nanomaterials add heat resistance and extra functions. Current uses run from farm mulch films and packaging to biomedical scaffolds and textile fibers. Costs stay high, breakdown demands the right conditions, and degrading fragments may form microplastics along the way. The authors point future work toward cheaper catalytic synthesis, smarter blends, and enzyme-assisted or chemical recycling that closes the loop on the material.

Catalog record

Source: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/PMC13457383