Carbon Dioxide Upgrading to Biodegradable Plastics through Photo/Electro-Synthetic Biohybrid Systems

The escalating emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) and the pervasive issue of nondegradable plastic pollution underscore dual urgent challenges in pursuit of a sustainable society. Achieving such sustainability in the plastic industry, while effectively addressing these environmental concerns, necessitates the development and implementation of innovative strategies for the synthesis of biodegradable polymers utilizing CO₂ as feedstocks. The technologies not only facilitate the mitigation of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations but also introduce a renewable carbon resource for polymer manufacturing. While considerable research has been undertaken in CO₂ upgrading to various C_1-3 products, the production of biodegradable polymers from CO₂ remains a formidable challenge. Here, we delineate the principal methodologies for catalytic CO₂ upgrading to biodegradable polymers, encompassing photocatalytic-biological processes and electrocatalytic-biological approaches. The emphasis of this perspective is on the optimization of production processes and catalyst efficiency, which are paramount in addressing the imperative challenge of decarbonization in the plastic industry, thereby aligning with global environmental sustainability goals.