Sets forth the techniques needed to create a vast array of useful biopolymer nanocomposites

Interest in biopolymer nanocomposites is soaring. Not only are they green and sustainable materials, they can also be used to develop a broad range of useful products with special properties, from therapeutics to coatings to packaging materials. With contributions from an international team of leading nanoscientists and materials researchers, this book draws together and reviews the most recent developments and techniques in biopolymer nano-composites. It describes the preparation, processing, properties, and applications of bio- polymer nanocomposites developed from chitin, starch, and cellulose, three renewable resources.

Biopolymer Nanocomposites features a logical organization and approach that make it easy for readers to take full advantage of the latest science and technology in designing these materials and developing new products and applications. It begins with a chapter reviewing our current understanding of bionanocomposites. Next, the book covers such topics as:

• Morphological and thermal investigations of chitin-based nanocomposites
• Applications of starch nanoparticle and starch-based bionanocomposites
• Spectroscopic characterization of renewable nanoparticles and their composites
• Nanocellulosic products and their applications
• Protein-based nanocomposites for food packaging

Throughout the book, detailed case studies of industrial applications underscore the unique challenges and opportunities in developing and working with biopolymer nanocomposites. There are also plenty of figures to help readers fully grasp key concepts and techniques.

Exploring the full range of applications, Biopolymer Nanocomposites is recommended for researchers in a broad range of industries and disciplines, including biomedical engineering, materials science, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, and polymer science. All readers will learn how to create green, sustainable products and applications using these tremendously versatile materials.

Foreword vii

Contributors ix

1. Bionanocomposites: State of the Art, Challenges, and Opportunities 1
Alain Dufresne, Sabu Thomas, and Laly A. Pothan

2. Preparation of Chitin Nanofi bers and Their Composites 11
Shinsuke Ifuku, Zameer Shervani, and Hiroyuki Saimoto

3. Chemical Modifi cation of Chitosan and Its Biomedical Application 33
Deepa Thomas and Sabu Thomas

4. Biomimetic Lessons for Processing Chitin-Based Composites 53
Otto C. Wilson, Jr. and Tiffany Omokanwaye

5. Morphological and Thermal Investigations of Chitin-Based Nanocomposites 83
Ming Zeng, Liyuan Lu, and Qingyu Xu

6. Mechanical Properties of Chitin-Based Nanocomposites 111
Merin Sara Thomas, Laly A. Pothan, and Sabu Thomas

7. Preparation and Applications of Chitin Nanofi bers/Nanowhiskers 131
Jun-Ichi Kadokawa

8. Preparation of Starch Nanoparticles 153
Déborah Le Corre and Alain Dufresne

9. Chemical Modifi cation of Starch Nanoparticles 181
Jin Huang, Qing Huang, Peter R. Chang, and Jiahui Yu

10. Starch-Based Bionanocomposite: Processing Techniques 203
Rekha Rose Koshy, Laly A. Pothan, and Sabu Thomas

11. Morphological and Thermal Investigations of Starch-Based Nanocomposites 227
Peter R. Chang, Jin Huang, Qing Huang, and Debbie P. Anderson

12. Mechanical Properties of Starch-Based Nanocomposites 261
Hélène Angellier-Coussy and Alain Dufresne

13. Applications of Starch Nanoparticles and Starch-Based Bionanocomposites 293
Siji K. Mary, Laly A. Pothan, and Sabu Thomas

14. Preparation of Nanofi brillated Cellulose and Cellulose Whiskers 309
David Plackett and Marco Iotti

15. Bacterial Cellulose 339
Eliane Trovatti

16. Chemical Modifi cation of Nanocelluloses 367
Youssef Habibi

17. Cellulose-Based Nanocomposites: Processing Techniques 391
Robert A. Shanks

18. Morphological and Thermal Investigations of Cellulosic Bionanocomposites 411
Anayancy Osorio-Madrazo and Marie-Pierre Laborie

19. Mechanical Properties of Cellulose-Based Bionanocomposites 437
B. Deepa, Saumya S. Pillai, Laly A. Pothan, and Sabu Thomas

20. Review of Nanocellulosic Products and Their Applications 461
Joe Aspler, Jean Bouchard, Wadood Hamad, Richard Berry, Stephanie Beck, François Drolet, and Xuejun Zou

21. Spectroscopic Characterization of Renewable Nanoparticles and Their Composites 509
Mirta I. Aranguren, Mirna A. Mosiewicki, and Norma E. Marcovich

22. Barrier Properties of Renewable Nanomaterials 541
Vikas Mittal

23. Biocomposites and Nanocomposites Containing Lignin 565
Cornelia Vasile and Georgeta Cazacu

24. Preparation, Processing and Applications of Protein Nanofi bers 599
Megan Garvey, Madhusudan Vasudevamurthy, Shiva P. Rao, Heath Ecroyd, Juliet A. Gerrard, and John A. Carver

25. Protein-Based Nanocomposites for Food Packaging 613
Hélène Angellier-Coussy, Pascale Chalier, Emmanuelle Gastaldi, Valérie Guillard, Carole Guillaume, Nathalie Gontard, and Stéphane Peyron

Index 655

ALAIN DUFRESNE, PhD, is Professor and Head of the Converting-Biomaterials-Packaging Group in the International School of Paper, Print Media and Biomaterials at Grenoble Institute of Technology. His research focuses on nanocomposite materials and the processing of heterogeneous polymer systems.

SABU THOMAS, PhD, is Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering and Director of the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Mahatma Gandhi University. His research has resulted in the publication of almost 600 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

LALY A. POTHAN, PhD, is Head of the Department of Chemistry at Bishop Moore College, Mavelikkara. Her research examines natural fiber polymer composites and green nanocomposites.