Biopolymers as Nanoparticles Carriers, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

The development of modern technologies entails the need to produce innovative materials characterized by high functionality. Polymer nanocomposites show great potential in this field, obtained by dispersing modifiers with dimensions of a few nanometers in a polymer matrix. Their attractiveness is due to the fact that the matrix interacts with the dispersed phase at the molecular level, which means that the nanofiller can significantly affect the selected parameters of the composite. The introduction of even a small amount of a nanoadditive is able to improve the mechanical, optical, electrical, thermal and bacteriostatic properties of a material.

Materials made of biopolymers are of particular interest. They are included in biocomposites, i.e., composites in which at least one component is biogenic or biodegradable. They are a good alternative to the commonly used synthetic plastics, which are a high burden for the environment. Due to their easy availability and low production costs, they have great potential for applications in the industrial sector. In addition, the diversity of functional groups makes them a particularly rewarding material for modification.

In addition to the many favorable features characteristic of all biopolymers, they exhibit a number of unique physicochemical and functional properties. This provides great opportunities for application in almost all areas of science and industry. However, despite their many advantages, biopolymer materials also have limitations. These are mainly poor mechanical, thermal and barrier properties. In order for them to be able to compete with the currently used synthetic materials, it is necessary to eliminate these disadvantages, e.g., by including nanoparticles in their structure. The selection of appropriate components of nanocomposites and the improvement of their production methods is an important element enabling technological development.

This Special Issue aims to present the progress of groundbreaking research on the design, production and application of biopolimers as nanoparticle carriers.

Dr. Magdalena Krystyjan
Dr. Gohar Khachatryan
Guest Editors

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• nanomaterials
• (nano)fillers
• nanoparticles
• nanotubes
• quantum dots
• nanostructures
• nanometals
• nanocapsules
• biopolymers
• biocomposites