Melt Processing of Cellulose Acetate for Controlled Release Applications – A Review

Cellulose acetate (CA) has garnered considerable industrial and research interest due to its sustainable properties, such as biodegradability and biocompatibility. Despite these attractive properties, CA is difficult to process using traditional melt processing techniques. This is due to its high crystallinity and a glass transition temperature that exceeds the thermal degradation temperature. Therefore, different additives have been explored to overcome these issues. This review explores recent trends in the use of melt-processed CA materials for encapsulating and controlling the release of active compounds. It highlights the advancements made over the past decade in processing CA-based materials using thermoplastic techniques. Additionally, the review discusses the properties of these materials, including biodegradation, photodegradation, and solubility, which are important for delivering active agents. Finally, it provides an overview of the challenges and prospects for CA-based materials processed through thermoplastic processing methods.