Modified Naturally Biodegradable Polymers

Modified, natural biodegradable polymers (natural biodegradable polymers modified with additives and fillers). 

Natural biodegradable polymers are produced in nature, thus are always renewable. Some synthetic biodegradable polymers are also renewable when produced from renewable feedstocks one example is polylactic acid (PLA), derived from agricultural sources. Modified natural biodegradable polymers can be totally or partially renewable, depending on the modifying agent used. 

Some cellulose derivatives and P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) have been found to show good compatibility [114-116]. These are chemically modified natural and natural biodegradable polymer blend systems. Blends obtained by melts compounding P(3HB) with cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB, degrees of butyrate and acetate substitution are 2.50 and 0.18, respectively) have been found to be miscible over the whole composition range by DSC and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy [116]. 

Biodegradable polymers and plastics are readily divided into three broad classifications (/) natural, (2) synthetic, and (J) modified natural. These classes may be further subdivided for ease of discussion, as follows (/) natural polymers (2) synthetic polymers may have carbon chain backbones or heteroatom chain backbones and (J) modified natural may be blends and grafts or involve chemical modifications, oxidation, esterification, etc. 

They are made of polymeric, waxy, or other protective materials, that is, biodegradable synthetic polymers and modified natural products such as starches, gums, proteins, fats, and waxes. The natural polymers include albumin and gelatin " the synthetic polymers include polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid. ... 

Hydrophobically modified polymers can associate in aqueous media to form micelle-like structures above their critical association concentrations (CACs). The nanosized self-aggregates were prepared using modified natural polysaccharides such as pullulan, curdlan, and glycol chitosan. The modified polysaccharides provide excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and biological activities. 

Natural cationic polymers are generally non-toxic, derived from renewable resources, biocompatible, biodegradable and possess low immunogenicity. Most natural cationic polymers contain reactive sites, which can be easily modified to improve physicochemical properties. 

To achieve biodegradation and biorecycling of biopolymeric systems. Mother Nature has set up very sophisticated processes based on enz)nnes and thus on cells. The most attractive biodegradable polymers are the biopolymers issued from living systems. However enz5miatic phenomena are very sophisticated and selective. Consequently, they rapidly fail degrading biopolymers when the corresponding macromolecules are chemically modified as it is often the case when one wants to fulfil requirements related to biofunctionality. 

Natural cationic polymers are derived from renewable sources and possess inherent positive charges. They are biodegradable and often possess low immunogenicity and low toxicity. Numerous natural cationic polymers have functional groups like carboxylic acid groups that can be further modified to carry therapeutic molecules. 

She has pnbhshed more than 45 papers in intematiorral and national refereed journals, more than 60 publications in conference proceedings, and more than 20 invited lectures for international conferences. She has been one of the editors of Malaysian Journal of Chemistry, Berita IKM- Chemistry in Malaysia, and books pnbhshed by Royal Society of Chemistry entitled Natural Rubber Materials, Volume 1 Blends and IPNs and Volume 2 Composites and Nanocomposites. She peer-reviews a few international journals on polymer science. Her research interest is devoted to modified natural rabber-based thermoplastic elastomers, biodegradable polyester/polyether blends, and solid polymer electrolytes... 

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