Biopolymers technology composite materials

Chiellini E, Qnelli P, Fernandes EG et al (2001) Composite materials based on gelatin and fillers from renewable resources. In Chiellini E, et al. (ed) Biorelated polymers. Part II. biopolymer technology and applications. Kluwer, New York... 

Given the actual scenario, one can state that the emerging field of nanotechnology represents new effort to exploit new materials as well as new technologies in the development of efficient and low-cost solar cells. In fact, the technological capabilities to manipulate matter under controlled conditions in order to assemble complex supramolecular structures within the range of 100 nm could lead to innovative devices (nano-devices) based on unconventional photovoltaic materials, namely, conducting polymers, fuUerenes, biopolymers (photosensitive proteins), and related composites. 

In February 2006, Japan s Mitsubishi Motors announced that it is to use the biopolymer, polybutylene succinate (PBS), in the interior of its new mini-car launched next year. In conjunction with Aichi Industrial Technology Institute, it has developed a material that uses PBS combined with bamboo fibre. PBS is composed of succinic acid, which is derived from fermented corn or cane sugar, and 1,4-butanediol. Bamboo grows quickly and is seen by Mitsubishi as a sustainable resource. In lifecycle tests, the PBS-bamboo fibre composite achieves a 50% cut in carbon dioxide emissions compared with polypropylene. Volatile organic compound levels are also drastically reduced, by roughly 85%, over processed wood hardboards. 

We can expect that increased knowledge of the biosynthetic pathways of plant biopolymers may lead through to their composition, structure and interactions in biological material being controlled more effectively so as to enhance technological functionality and nutritional quality. 

The primary use of cellulose film has been for wrapping purposes. The past years have witnessed a renewed interest in cellulose research and application sparked mostly by technological interests in renewable raw materials and more environmentally-friendly and sustainable recourses. It has been estimated that the yearly biomass production of cellulose is 1.5 tons, making it an inexhaustible source of raw material for environmentally-friendly and biocompatible products [3]. Cellulose derivatives are used for coatings, laminates, optical films, pharmaceuticals, food, and textiles. Numerous new applications of cellulose take advantage of its biocompatibility and chirality for the immobilization of proteins and antibodies and for the separation of enantiometric molecules, as well as the formation of cellulose composite with synthetic polymers and biopolymers. This chapter basically discussed on the medical applications of cellulose. 

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