ABSTRACT
This chapter mainly focuses on the recent developments of various biodegradable composites for different applications in the current scenario. It highlights the current challenges and perspectives of green biodegradable composites. Sustainable composites are the need of the hour due to their environmental impacts. Biodegradable composites are generally known for their non-toxicity and bio-compatibility, and these can be derived from naturally occurring renewable resources without causing any harm to the environment. This chapter comprises a brief introduction to the history of the development of biodegradable composites in different applications and their recent technical development. It also deals with different additives used for biocomposite fabrication. The developments in different biodegradable polymeric composites such as polylactic acid, polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), cellulose, chitosan and starch are discussed, and their prospects are highlighted in this chapter. The biodegradable polymeric biocomposite foams and their projections in green applications and recent developments are also discussed in the chapter. This chapter also focuses on various bionanomaterials that can be utilized for producing biocomposites such as gum arabic and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). It also highlights different green composite applications including green packaging, biomedical applications and applications for sophisticated purposes. It further highlights the challenges of green composites and their socio-economic impacts.
