AUTHOR=Loos Katja , Zhang Ruoyu , Pereira Inês , Agostinho Beatriz , Hu Han , Maniar Dina , Sbirrazzuoli Nicolas , Silvestre Armando J. D. , Guigo Nathanael , Sousa Andreia F. TITLE=A Perspective on PEF Synthesis, Properties, and End-Life JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry VOLUME=8 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2020.00585 DOI=10.3389/fchem.2020.00585 ISSN=2296-2646 ABSTRACT=

This critical review considers the extensive research and development dedicated, in the last years, to a single polymer, the poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate), usually simply referred to as PEF. PEF importance stems from the fact that it is based on renewable resources, typically prepared from C6 sugars present in biomass feedstocks, for its resemblance to the high-performance poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and in terms of barrier properties even outperforming PET. For the first time synthesis, properties, and end-life targeting—a more sustainable PEF—are critically reviewed. The emphasis is placed on how synthetic roots to PEF evolved toward the development of greener processes based on ring open polymerization, enzymatic synthesis, or the use of ionic liquids; together with a broader perspective on PEF end-life, highlighting recycling and (bio)degradation solutions.