Nanocomposites with Biodegradable Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Future Perspectives

Bio-nanocomposites combine the enhanced properties of commercial polymer nanocomposites with the low environmental impact of biodegradable material, making them a topic of great current interest. Because of their tremendous role in reducing dependency on commercial non-biodegradable polymers, and their environmentally-friendly nature, bio-nanocomposites need to be studied in greater detail. In this book, recent advancements in their development are brought together in a single text, to provide researchers with a thorough insight into the various systems, and to open up future perspectives. Although the commercial applications of these bio-nanocomposites are in their infancy, these materials have a huge commercial potential. In setting out the next generation of advances in nanocomposite technology, this book opens the way for further developments in the field.

Describing the subject as a whole, from a basic introduction to the more specific systems and advancements, this book can be used both as a professional reference and for teaching purposes.

After bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical and polymer engineering, Vikas Mittal joined the Polymer Chemistry group of Professor U. W. Suter at the Department of Materials at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH, Zurich. He worked there for his doctoral degree with a focus on surface chemistry and polymer nanocomposites. He also jointly worked with Professor M. Morbidelli at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences on the synthesis of functional polymer latex particles with thermally reversible behaviors. After completion of his doctoral research, he joined the Active and Intelligent Coatings section of Sun Chemical Group Europe in London. He later joined as Polymer Engineer at BASF Polymer Research in Ludwigshafen, Germany where he has been working to date as laboratory manager responsible for the physical analysis of organic and inorganic colloids.