Man-Made Bio-based and Biodegradable Fibers for Textile Applications

Today, synthetic polymers used as raw materials in a big share of textile applications are nonbiodegradable and are derived from nonrenewable resources. The characteristic structure of these synthetic polymers, such as stability and strength, which makes them usable in a wide area, also makes these polymers difficult to degrade by ensuring their persistence in the environment. In addition, the synthesis of some polymeric materials requires the use of toxic compounds or produces toxic by-products. At this point, environmentally friendly bio-based biodegradable polymers having the possibility of replacing these polymers have been emerging. Apart from their strengths in terms of sustainability, bio-based biodegradable polymers have many advantages such as biocompatibility and poor toxic characteristics, especially for medical applications. On the other hand, challenges of processability, reproducibility, scaling up to industrial manufacturing, and poor mechanical characteristics of these polymers limit their extensive usage. However, it is possible to enhance processability through intensive studies about plasticization or blending with other polymers. In addition, manipulating the spinning conditions, utilization of different crosslinking agents, and addition of nano-/microparticles are the options for tailoring the mechanical properties of the resulting fibers. The most used techniques to manufacture raw material from bio-based biodegradable polymers are filament production methods including melt spinning, wet spinning, and electrospinning. In this chapter, bio-based biodegradable polymers are comprehensively reviewed from the view of resources, isolation/extraction methods, general fiber properties, filament production techniques (melt spinning, wet spinning, and electrospinning), and potential textile applications with future projections.