ABSTRACT
Scientists all over the world show strong interest in developing novel materials that are eco-friendly, cost effective, and biodegradable due to the increase in environment concern. Thus, bio-based products have raised great attention in recent times. Bio-based polymers are defined as polymers that are obtained from biological origin like plants, animals, and microbes including bacteria, fungi, and algae. The simplest form of biopolymers includes cellulose and starch that have been widely used since centuries. Biopolymers show application in different fields like packaging, textiles, and water treatment, but they depict some shortcomings when compared to synthetic polymers. However, biopolymers formulated using nanomaterials depict a wide range of improved properties including permeability, thermal stability, elasticity, and crystallinity. These biopolymer-based nanocomposites provide an opportunity to replace the traditional nonbiodegradable polymers and also reduce the over dependence on petroleum-based products. Biopolymer-based nanocomposites demonstrate applications in different fields including packaging, water treatment, antimicrobials, 166wound dressing, wound healing, disease diagnosis, and sensors. The present chapter gives an overview on biopolymers and biopolymer-based nanocomposites, their functions, and applications in different fields of science and technology.
