Publications

Featured Publications

Articles

2026

Cronenberg, R., Mathel, V., Gauthier, E., Xu, Q., Halley, P., Ross, I. L., Alves Teixeira, F.F.L. & Hankamer, B. (2026). Incorporating microalgae and cyanobacterial pigments into biopolymers to develop attractive bio-based materials for the built environment. Sustainability, 18(3), 1468. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031468

Dilkes-Hoffman, L., Laycock, B., Pratt, S., Ross, H., Lant, P. (2026) An investigation of attitudes toward plastics in four countries — The public is concerned and wants solutions, Cell Reports Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100683

Eroglu, E., Gallet–Pandellé, A., Elagali, A., Dunlop, S., & Brunner, M. (2026). Edible Films and Coatings with Compostable End-of-Life Properties as Functional Alternatives to Conventional Flexible Plastics in Food Packaging. Food Reviews International, 1-59. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2026.2676210

Gallet–Pandellé, A., Chaléat, C., Colwell, J., Garvey, C. J., Pratt, S., Lant, P., & Laycock, B. (2026). A novel stretching method for enhancing the toughness of PHBV films. Polymer, 130545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2026.130545

Hessampour, R., Ramirez, J., & O’Hara, I. (2026). Thermodynamic and exergoeconomic evaluation of an integrated sugarcane bagasse biorefinery for polylactic acid and multi-product valorization. Energy Conversion and Management, 365, 121746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121746

Kockler, K. B., Lant, P., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2026). Improving the Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoates via PHA–PHA Block‐Copolymer Synthesis. Chemistry – A European Journal, e71303. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.71303

Lawless, S., Levett, I., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2026). Melt-glycolysis of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate): A modular route to recycling and tuning of biodegradable materials. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 152543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152543

Levett, I., Bai, X., Lant, P., Laycock, B., Brunner, M., & Pratt, S. (2026). Technoeconomic analysis of extreme halophilic manufacture of polyhydroxyalkanoate bioplastics from sugar: Understanding cost sensitivity to feedstock price, fermentation performance and the extraction method. Bioresource Technology, 134078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134078

Lyons, R., Chan, C. M., Hodal, C. M., Parry, A. R., Lant, P., Pratt, S., Laycock, B. & Dennis, P. G. (2026). The diversity of plastisphere bacterial and fungal communities differs between biodegradable polymer types in Soil. Microbial Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-025-02677-z

Pratiwi, S. A. N., Halley, P. J., & Gauthier, E. (2026). Biopolymer‐coated paper composites for sustainable packaging. Asia‐Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, e70213. https://doi.org/10.1002/apj.70213

Rahman, M. A. G. A., Laycock, B., Pratt, S., Sepúlveda-Muñoz, C. A., & Batstone, D. J. (2026). Photoautotrophic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation in mixed purple bacteria using formate, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Bioresource Technology, 134134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134134

2025

Afzal, R. A., Annamalai, P. K., Tebyetekerwa, M., Burey, P. P., Bell, J., Nanjundan, A. K., & Martin, D. J. (2025). Sustainable carbon for energy storage applications: investigation on chemical refinements of sorghum biomass for tuneability of carbon structures and supercapacitor performance. RSC Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00569D

Amaraweera, S., Pratt, S., Lant, P., Laycock, B., & Levett, I. (2025). Quantifying urea permeability through biodegradable PHBV/PBAT thin films. Polymer, 129466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129466

Aziz, S., Colwell, J., Heidarian, P., Mathel, V., Gauthier, E., McNally, T., Peijs, T., Varley, R.J., Halley, P. J., & Vandi, L. J. (2025). Scalable fabrication of self‐reinforced bioplastic composites using short fiber reinforcements. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2500011. https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202500011 

Chan, C. M., Yim, S., Lant, P., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2025). The impact of functional additives on biodegradable plastic biodegradation in natural terrestrial and composting environments. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2024.2443284

Dilkes-Hoffman, L., Ross, H., Laycock, B., Lant, P., & Pratt, S. (2025). Public attitudes towards plastics in Australia are surprisingly constant in a changing world. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 219, 108329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108329

Lawless, S. (2025). Understanding the extensional rheology of biodegradable polymers: a study for enhancing film blowing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). PhD Thesis, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland. https://doi.org/10.14264/6bc49e8

Levett, I., Pratt, S., Agarwal, A., Lant, P., & Laycock, B. (2025). A new tool to screen biodegradable polymers as technically and commercially viable fertiliser coatings. Science of The Total Environment, 976, 179371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179371

Lyons, R.L., Chan, C.M., Parry, A.R., Hodal, C.M., Sun, J., Lant, P.A., Pratt, S., Laycock, B. & Dennis, P.G. (2025). Relative to a Common Phthalate, Citrate-Based Plasticizers Exert Minimal Impact on Plastisphere Bacterial Community Composition during Biopolymer Biodegradation. Environmental Science & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c01660

Read, T. (2025). Degradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic environments. PhD Thesis, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland. https://doi.org/10.14264/f2db5d4

Smith, M., Ramirez, J., & O’Hara, I. (2025) Growing Australia’s Bioeconomy: Building a Sustainable Economic Future. Queensland University of Technology, Australia. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/257869/

Vieira, R.M., Gauthier, E., Widanagamage, G., McKenzie, N., Dunn, K., Moghaddam, L., Halley, P. & Brienzo, M., (2025). UV-blocking and hydrophobicity improvement of chitosan-based film with lignin addition from a pilot scale-up Organosolv process of Banana Pseudostem. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 144254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.144254

Walchle, C., Chaléat, C., Lant, P., Lawless, S., Laycock, B., & Pratt, S. (2025). Grafting 1-dodecene onto inherently isotactic biologically-derived poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) to induce tacticity change. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 148666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148666

Widanagamage, G. W., Zhang, Z., O’Hara, I. M., & Moghaddam, L. (2025). Recycling biobased polyurethane foams: Efficient dual recovery of polyols and diamines via hydrothermal liquefaction. Chemical Engineering Journal, 168533.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.168533

Widanagamage, G. W., Zhang, Z., Barner, L., O’Hara, I. M., & Moghaddam, L. (2025). Understanding sustainable polyurethane foams: A comparative analysis of foams from lignin and lignin hydrothermal liquefaction in alkaline vs. acidic conditions. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, e01453.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01453

Zhang, T. (2025). Fermentation process for the synthesis and anaerobic degradation of polyhydroxyalkanoates. PhD Thesis, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland. https://doi.org/10.14264/7e8fdeb

2024

Dilkes-Hoffman, L., Lant, P., Ross, H., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2024). Do biodegradable plastics increase public acceptance of littering? Environmental Research Communications. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ad9817

Hülsen, T., Venturato, D., Chan, C., Vandi, L., Laycock, B., Pratt, S., Stegman, S., van Loosdrecht, M. & Batstone, D. J. (2024). Polyhydroxyalkanoate production in a biofilm by mixed culture phototrophic bacteria. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 140001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140001

Konarova, M., Batalha, N., Fraga, G., Ahmed, M. H., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2024). Integrating PET chemical recycling with pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste via pressureless alkaline depolymerization in a hydrocarbon solvent. Waste Management, 174, 24-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2023.11.023

Lawless, S., Laycock, B., Lant, P., & Pratt, S. (2024). The extensional rheology of biodegradable polymers determines their propensity to be film blown. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 110888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2024.110888

Lawless, S., Laycock, B., Lant, P., & Pratt, S. (2024). Solvent-based synthesis, structural elucidation and thermal characterisation of free radical grafted PHBV. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 110976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2024.110976

Laycock, B. G., Chan, C. M., & Halley, P. J. (2024). A review of computational approaches used in the modelling, design, and manufacturing of biodegradable and biobased polymers. Progress in Polymer Science, 101874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2024.101874

Mai, J., Kockler, K., Parisi, E., Chan, C. M., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2024). Synthesis and physical properties of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based block copolymers: A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 130204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130204

Phelan, A. (15 February 2024). Soft plastic recycling is back after the REDcycle collapse – but only in 12 supermarkets. Will it work this time? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/soft-plastic-recycling-is-back-after-the-redcycle-collapse-but-only-in-12-supermarkets-will-it-work-this-time-223232

Read, T., Chan, C. M., Chaléat, C., Laycock, B., Pratt, S., & Lant, P. (2024). The effect of additives on the biodegradation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in marine field trials. Science of The Total Environment, 172771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172771

Read, T., Chaléat, C., Laycock, B., Pratt, S., Lant, P., & Chan, C. M. (2024). Lifetimes and mechanisms of biodegradation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in estuarine and marine field environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 209, 117114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117114

Witt, T., Robinson, N., Palma, A. C., Cernusak, L. A., Pratt, S., Redding, M., Batstone, D., Schmidt, S., & Laycock, B. (2024). Evaluating novel biodegradable polymer matrix fertilizers for nitrogen‐efficient agriculture. Journal of Environmental Quality. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20552

2023

Camenzuli, L., Syme, R., Downie, R., McKinley, B., Chan, J., Lant, P., Laycock, B., Pratt, S., & Chan, C. (July 2023) Biodegradability of plastics: Discussion paper. A joint collaboration between Corrs Chambers Westgarth and The University of Queensland. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland. https://doi.org/10.14264/20d45a9

Colwell, J., Pratt, S., Lant, P. & Laycock, B. (2023). Hazardous state lifetimes of biodegradable plastics in natural environments. Science of the Total Environment, 894 165025, 165025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165025

Laycock, B., Pratt, S. & Halley, P. (2023). A perspective on biodegradable polymer biocomposites – from processing to degradation. Functional Composite Mater 4, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42252-023-00048-w

Mai, J., Chan, C. M., Laycock, B., & Pratt, S. (2023). Understanding the Reaction of Hydroxy-Terminated Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)(PHBV) Random Copolymers with a Monoisocyanate. Macromolecules, 56(6), 2328-2338. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02513

Mai, J., Garvey, C. J., Chan, C. M., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2023). Synthesis and characterisation of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)(PHBV) multi-block copolymers comprising blocks of differing 3-hydroxyvalerate contents. Chemical Engineering Journal, 475, 146175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.146175

Mai, J., Pratt, S., Laycock, B., & Chan, C. M. (2023). Synthesis and Characterisation of Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)-b-poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Multi-Block Copolymers Produced Using Diisocyanate Chemistry. Polymers, 15(15), 3257. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15153257

Pratt, S. (June 2023) Advancing our transition to a greener plastics future. Chemistry in Australia. https://chemaust.raci.org.au/article/june-august-2023/advancing-our-transition-greener-plastics-future.html

Oluwoye, I., Machuca, L. L., Higgins, S., Suh, S., Galloway, T. S., Halley, P., Tanaka, S. & Iannuzzi, M. (2023). Degradation and lifetime prediction of plastics in subsea and offshore infrastructures. Science of The Total Environment, 166719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166719

2022

Chan, C. M., Lyons, R., Dennis, P. G., Lant, P., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2022). Eff­ect of toxic phthalate-based plasticizer on the biodegradability of polyhydroxyalkanoate. Environmental Science & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c06583

Laycock, B., Lant, P., & Pratt, S. (6 April 2022). Do you toss biodegradable plastic in the compost bin? Here’s why it might not break down. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/do-you-toss-biodegradable-plastic-in-the-compost-bin-heres-why-it-might-not-break-down-178542

Mai, J., Chan, C. M., Colwell, J., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2022). Characterisation of end groups of hydroxy-functionalised scl-PHAs prepared by transesterification using ethylene glycol. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 205, 110123, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2022.110123

Miller, C. (2022) Tackling Marine Plastic Pollution in Southeast Asia: Malaysia. Report for Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. https://doi.org/10.14264/54a4db1

Nair, N., Pratt, S., Lant, P., & Laycock, B. (31 March 2022). Bioplastics Promise. The Chemical Engineer. https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/features/bioplastics-promise/

Phelan, A. (17 November 2022). REDcycle’s collapse is more proof that plastic recycling is a broken system. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/redcycles-collapse-is-more-proof-that-plastic-recycling-is-a-broken-system-194528