Biodegradable polymer nanocomposite from renewable resources

Bionanocomposites are an ecological alternative to conventional nanocomposites based on petroleum-derived polymers, as they are based on biodegradable polymers obtained from renewable resources. Biomass is the source of agropolymers like starch and cellulose and also of monomers used to chemically synthesize polymers like polylactic acid (PLA). Other kinds of biopolymers, e.g., xanthan gum and poly (hydroxyalkanoates), are produced by microorganisms. Even though most of the bionanocomposites reported in the hterature are based on layered sihcates, the number of examples illustrating the use of fibrous clays in the preparation of new bionanocomposites is growing rapidly. 

Green Nanocomposites from Renewable Resource-Based Biodegradable Polymers and Environmentally-Friendly Blends... 

Biodegradable polymers can be mainly classified as agro-polymers (starch, protein, etc.) and biodegradable polyesters (polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(lactic acid), etc.). These latter, also called biopolyesters, can be synthesized from fossil resources but main productions can be obtained from renewable resources (Bordes et al. 2009). However for certain applications, biopolyesters cannot be fully competitive with conventional thermoplastics since some of their properties are too weak. Therefore, to extend their applications, these biopolymers have been formulated and associated with nano-sized fillers, which could bring a large range of improved properties (stiffness, permeability, crystallinity, thermal stability). The resulting nano-biocomposites have been the subject of many recent publications. Bordes etal. (2009) analyzed this novel class of materials based on clays, which are nowadays the main nanoflllers used in nanocomposite systems. 

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