Reinventing Cellulose into Sustainable and Versatile Bioplastics via Molecular-Scale Design

Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer, is a promising platform for sustainable bioplastics. However, cellulose-based bioplastics derived from macrofibers or nanocellulose still fall short of petrochemical plastics in thermal stability, mechanical performance, and processability. In this work, we systematically examine molecular-scale design strategies to bridge the gap between material properties and processing behavior, including supramolecular network reconstruction, dynamic dissipative systems, and programmable architectures. These approaches enable cellulose bioplastics with improved formability, thermal resistance, mechanical strength, and programmable responsiveness, thereby expanding their potential in aerospace, intelligent construction, high-end protective equipment, and biomedicine. Finally, we outline future research directions to accelerate the development of cellulose-based materials toward high-performance, recyclable, intelligent, and environmentally friendly applications.