Polyesters Using Bioderived Furandicarboxylic Acid: Recent Advancement and Challenges toward Green PET

Creating eco-friendly and sustainable polymers is one of the most important challenges faced by polymer scientists, be it in academia or industries around the world. Dwindling fossil fuel reserves, petrochemical price increases, greenhouse gas emissions, and exacerbation of global warming are the key forces behind the hunt for renewable and sustainable feedstocks for polymers. Biobased polyesters have garnered significant attention to meet this requirement due to their flexible properties and broad applications. 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a spotlighted rigid diacid monomer obtained from agricultural biomass, represents enormous potential to substitute well-known petroleum-based terephthalic acid (TPA). From this perspective, this review focuses on the recent developments and challenges in fabricating FDCA-based polyesters, including aliphatic and aromatic counterparts. The latest research and innovation in synthetic techniques, catalysts, and their optimization as well as the FDCA polyester applications in daily life such as bottles, packaging materials, textiles, and coatings are also covered. Additional aspects of the influence of FDCA-isomeric exchange on polyester preparation, crystallinity, mechanical, and gas barrier properties are discussed. Finally, emphasis is placed on the recycling and life cycle assessment of biobased poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) polyester in comparison to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), embracing sustainable, circular technologies for a greener future.