Biopolymers and their Nanocomposites: current status and future prospects

For many years, petroleum-based polymers have been successfully enhanced by the addition of nanoparticles as additives. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanoclays, 2-D layered materials, and cellulose nano whiskers are a few of the several nano-reinforcements that are currently being researched. In comparison to unmodified polymer resin, the use of these nanofillers with bio-based polymers could improve a wide range of physical properties, including barrier, flame resistance, thermal stability, solvent uptake, and rate of biodegradability. This nano-reinforcement is a very appealing method to create new functional biomaterials for a variety of applications because these enhancements are typically achieved at minimal filler content. In Fig. 1, the interaction of biopolymers with nanocomposites is shown as improving the functionality of electronic, photonic and optical devices.