Green Additives in Chitosan‐Based Bioplastic Films: Physical, Mechanical, and Chemical Properties

The Cover Feature shows bioplastic products generated from chitosan, a material derived from crustaceans, such as crabs. By exploring different green additives, such as glycerol and citric acid, chitosan-based ′plastic′ films were generated. The additives could be grouped by their uptake behavior, namely linear, non-linear, or crosslinking. Lower amounts of additives are deemed most practical, balancing the property enhancement with mechanical stability of the bioplastic films. Using spectroscopy, microscopy and chromatography, we show that the addition of these green additives enables the creation of a diverse range of chitosan-based plastic alternatives, offering alternatives to conventional plastics, ranging from soft flexible materials (e.g., cling film, and medical supplies) to hard, stiff plastics (e.g., bottles, and toys).More information can be found in the Research Article by K. B. Schnabl et al.