Green polymers natural biodegradable

Large amounts of agricultural waste products, such as corn cobs, are continuously provided in several developing countries. Xylan is considered to be a green polymer that may play an essential role in the renewability of waste products due to its biodegradable and biocompatible nature. Furthermore, as shown in this chapter, xylan presents particular properties that allow a wide range of applications. 

It is clear that green polymers, as defined by their biodegradability, are almost exclusively biopolymers. The major classes of biopolymer of interest here are proteins and polysaccharides, naturally occurring biopolymers, and these are subdivided into various sub-classes, with different applications, as described above. Other polymers of interest are the bacterial polyesters and polylactides. All of these polymers have the potential to be processed into new materials, but clearly not all of these will have either attractive properties or be economically viable materials. 

Imam S.H., Chen L., Gordon S.H., Shogren R.L., Weisleder D, Greene R.V Biodegradation of injection molded starch-poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) blends in a natural compost environment, J. Envionm. Polym. Deg. 6 (1998) 91. 

Natural polysaccharides, such as starch derived from com, wheat, rice or potato, and cellulose and its derivatives, are the main biopolymers employed in the development of green nanocomposites. The biodegradable thermoplastic polyester PLA, starch, and epoxidized vegetable oils are other examples of polymers widely used in the development of reinforced biopolymers. 

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