Biopolymer-based nanocomposites

KIKKU FUKUSHIMA, DANIELA TABUANI AND CRISTINA ABBATE  

Among these biodegradable polyesters, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(E-caprolactone) (PCL) show a great potential for different applications, such as in agriculture and in everyday life as biodegradable packaging material,  

A Handbook of Applied Biopolymer Technology Synthesis, Degradation and Applications 

Concerning PLA biodegradability, it has been shown that PLA is naturally degraded in soil or compost, as the resulting products of its hydrolytic degradation in these media can be totally assimilated by microorganisms such 

The main limitations of these biodegradable polymers towards their wider application are their relatively low thermal and mechanical resistance and limited gas barrier properties, which limit their access to certain industrial sectors, such as food packaging, in which their use would be justified when biodegradability is required. Nevertheless, the above drawbacks could be overcome by enhancing their properties through the use of filler and/or additives. In the last two decades, the addition of nanofillers to polymers has attracted great attention for the potentiality of these materials to improve a high number of polymer properties for example, polymer layered silicate nanocomposites, because of the nanometer size of the silicate sheets, exhibit, even at low filler content (1-5 wt%), markedly improved mechanical, thermal, barrier and flame retardant properties, in comparison to the unfilled matrix and to the more conventional microcomposites.  

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In addition, the topic of cellulose-based nanocomposites is a relatively new research field. Nowadays, there is a growing interest in biopolymer-based nanocomposites in... 

This chapter provides an extensive overview concerning the effects of thermal degradation on various biopolymer based nanocomposites. It discusses the most recent developments/findings in relation to biopolymer based nanocomposites, in particular the effects of different nanoparticles on the thermal stability. Other issues regarding the research challenges, applications and future trends are also addressed in this chapter. 

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X. Z. Tang, P. Kumar, S. Alavi, and K.P. Sandeep, Recent advances in biopolymers and biopolymer-based nanocomposites for food packaging materials. Critical Rev. Food Sci. Nutrition, 52,426-442 (2012). 

Tang, X. Z., Kumar, P, Alavi, S., and Sandeep, K. P. Recent Advances in Biopolymers and Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Materials. Critical reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 52(5), 426-442 (2012). 

Kumar, R, Sandeep, K. R, Alavi, S.,and Truong, V. D. A review of experimental and modeling techniques to determine properties of biopolymer-based nanocomposites. J. FoodSci., 76, E2-E14(2011). 

ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED NANOCOMPOSITES... 

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Buchtova, N., Guyomard-Lack, A., and Le Bideau, J. (2014) Biopolymer based nanocomposite ionogels high performance, sustainable and solid electrolytes. Green Chem., 16,... 

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Tang XI, Kumar P, Alavis S, Sandeep KP [2012]. Recent advantages in biopolymers and biopolymers and biopolymers-based nanocomposites for food packaging materials. CRC Cr Rev Food Sci, 52,426-442. 

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