Professor Zhao Dawei from Key Laboratory of Characteristic Resource Chemicals and Materials, Ministry of Education, Collaborates with Professor Yu Haipeng from Northeast Forestry University and Others to Publish Research Findings in Advanced Materials

Developing sustainable plastics with high performance and environmental friendliness from renewable biomass resources offers an effective solution to mitigating petroleum-based plastic pollution. As the most abundant natural polymer resource in nature, cellulose is widely available, renewable, and biodegradable, demonstrating great potential in the field of biomass-based plastics. Researchers have constructed a series of biodegradable cellulose-based bioplastics by regulating cellulose molecular structure and its hydrogen bond network. However, it remains a major challenge to endow cellulose bioplastics with excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, and processability for engineering applications while maintaining environmental friendliness.

Figure. Molecular Engineering Strategy for Constructing Cellulosic Engineering Plastics (CEP)

Recently, Professor Zhao Dawei from our university, in collaboration with Professor Yu Haipeng from Northeast Forestry University and Professor Yu Guihua from the University of Texas at Austin, developed a low-density, high-strength cellulosic engineering plastic (CEP). The material was fabricated by inducing cellulose molecular assembly into a molecular network framework via ionic complexation, in-situ introducing polyacrylamide (PAAm) molecules, and tuning the supramolecular network structure through solvent regulation.

CEP exhibits outstanding mechanical performance, thermal stability, and environmental stability, coupled with excellent moldability and biodegradability. Owing to its superior mechanical properties, environmental stability, and processability, CEP holds promising application prospects in engineering structural materials, building panels, and lightweight components for automotive and aerospace industries. This work provides a new strategy for the development of high-performance sustainable engineering plastics.

On April 20, 2026, the relevant research findings were published in Advanced Materials under the title “Cellulosic Engineering Plastic with High Shapeability, Recyclability, Lightweight and High-Strength Properties”. Shenyang University of Chemical Technology is the corresponding author affiliation for the paper.

Primary Review and Translating: Wei Chunyu

Secondary Review and Translating: Zhao Wenhao

Final Review and Approval: Wang Meng