Cellulose acetate
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Cellulose acetate
Cellulose acetate is a polymer of B-1,4 linked glucose with acetate replacing the glucose's hydroxyl (OH) groups. For a high strength bioplastic polymer all three hydroxyl groups (C2, C3, C6) are replaced with acetate resulting in cellulose triacetate. Cellulose acetate with a lower degree of substitution can absorb water and has other applications. Cellulose acetate can be made by reacting cellulose biomass with acetic anhydride and an acid catalyst. Cellulose acetate has good optical and packaging characteristics but is not very durable.
OSE context
Cellulose acetate is one of the oldest and easiest to manufacture forms of bioplastics. Unfortunately it is relatively unstable and not durable. Cellulose acetate or cellulose reacted with other anhydrides are useful for a number of applications but its use is more limited in existing OSE product ecologies. Lacquers, adhesives and applications that don't need robust or durable materials are a few possible OSE uses. Cellulose acetate is also flammable. A cellulose acetate lacquered Moldable mycelium could be a very innovative easily and locally produced product. Cellulose acetate depending on its level of substitution and residual catalytic acid content can be biodegradable. Biodegradable cellulose acetate mixed with other biodegradable bioplastic products, such as starch and glycerol, can create a biodegradable product with favorable characteristics. Whether it is useful for OSE to pursue a biodegradable bioplastic is open for debate. Cellulose acetate would be the most easily produced bioplastic and could serve as a first step technology demonstration.