Biopolymers : Synthesis, Properties, and Emerging Applications

Biopolymers: Synthesis, Properties, and Emerging Applications presents the state-of-the-art in biopolymers, bringing together detailed information on synthesis strategies, processing and cutting-edge applications. The book begins by introducing the synthesis, processing and structural and functional properties of smart biopolymers and bionanocomposites. Subsequent chapters focus on the synthesis and preparation of biopolymers with valuable properties or for specific advanced applications, including piezoelectric properties, shape memory properties, biodegradable polymer blends, synthesis and assembly of nanomaterials, synthesis of green biopolymers, and catalytic synthesis of bio-sourced polyesters and polycarbonate, as well as applications in active food packaging, water purification, biomedicine, 3D printing, and automotive.

Throughout the book, there are analyses of different synthesis strategies and processing methods and their role and use in different fields of application, whilst the important challenges relating to scalable processing and shaping and micro and nano structuration are also discussed. The book also strives to balance the synthetic aspects of biopolymers with physical principles, highlighting biopolymer-based architectures including composite or hybrid conjugates, providing in-depth discussion of important examples of reaction mechanisms, and exploring potential applications of biopolymer and conjugates, ranging from physical to chemical and biological systems.

• Provides the reader with a broad and detailed overview of the latest advances in biopolymers, covering synthesis, processing, properties and applications
• Examines synthesis strategies and processing methods, focusing on green and sustainable catalytic synthesis approaches for biopolymer production
• Reviews smart applications of biopolymers, including active food packaging, photocatalytic, electric, electronic, piezoelectric, antimicrobial, environmental, and more

Valentina Sessini is currently GET co-funded Marie-Curie Fellow at the University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. She received her PhD in Civil Engineering and Innovative Materials from the University of Perugia, Italy, in May 2017, and completed a postdoctoral stay at the University of Mons for 15 months, contracted in the framework of the INTERREG BIOHARV project. Dr. Sessini has published 14 peer-reviewed JRC scientific publications (9 as first author) in international JCR journal of high impact factor and 6 book chapters, has participated in 5 research projects, and her work has been presented at more than 24 national and international congresses. She has a broad experience in the development of bio-based, biocompatible, biodegradable and smart polymeric materials and nanocomposites, melt processing of plastics (extrusion, injection, compression, etc.), and reactive extrusion. In recent years, her work has focused on the sustainable synthesis of biobased polymers with piezoelectric properties for energy harvesting applications.

Dr. Srabanti Ghosh is currently a Scientist-E in the Energy Materials & Devices Division at CSIR - Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, West Bengal, Kolkata, India.. She received her PhD degree in Chemistry from UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Kolkata Centre, and Jadavpur University, India, before completing postdoctoral programs at the University of Paris SUD, France (Marie Curie co-fund) and working as GOT ENERGY TALENT co-fund Marie Curie Fellow Researcher at the Universidad De Alcala, Spain. Her main research interests include synthesis, and characterization of functional materials at the nanoscale and their photoelectrochemical properties for energy conversion devices, photocatalysts, electrocatalysts, fuel cells, and biosensor applications. Dr. Ghosh has co-authored 104 publications in international journals, 4 patents, edited 6 books, and contributed 24 book chapters, and acts as a reviewer for several SCI journals.

Marta E. G. Mosquera is currently Associate Professor at the University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. She received her PhD degree in Chemistry from Oviedo University, and previous completed postdoctoral research stays at Cambridge University (United Kingdom) and Würzburg University (Germany). Dr. Mosquera has a broad experience in organometallic, coordination chemistry and catalysts. She has participated in 23 research projects (10 as PI) and her work has been reported in more than 112 papers in JCR journals and 90 conferences contributions (several as invited speaker). She has participated in the organization of worldwide conferences and has also been invited to give talks at various universities in Spain, Poland and the UK. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Dr. Mosquera’s research efforts are focused on homo and heterometallic main group (aluminum, potassium, etc.) compounds active in catalytic processes of polymerization of functionalized monomers and co-polymerization with CO2, aiming in particular to develop catalysts for the next generation of biopolymers.