Biobased Poly(ethylene 2,5-furancoate): No Longer an Alternative, but an Irreplaceable Polyester in the Polymer Industry

Recently, studies on the synthesis, modification, and functionalization of polyesters derived from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (2,5-FDCA) have attracted widespread attention. Among them, poly(ethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PEF) has been in the spotlight due to its greener production process, higher glass transition temperature (Tg), good mechanical performance, and excellent barrier properties, which have qualified it as a new generation of packaging material to be considered for replacement of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Currently it is a promising rising star in the field of biobased polymers, yet there has been no review entirely focused on it. This article focuses on the research related PEF, discussing its mainstream synthetic methods including optimization of catalysts with solutions of coloration and side reactions, and its comprehensive properties such as thermal, crystallization, mechanical, and barrier performances. Other aspects highlighted are modifications for better properties and the introduction of biodegradability as well as the construction of composites materials. This article aims to reveal the development path of PEF and help us to understand it more deeply and widely in a short time.