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This book, as a collection of 17 research articles, provides a selection of the most recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and applications of environmentally friendly and biodegradable biopolymer composites and nanocomposites. Recently, the demand has been growing for a clean and pollution-free environment and an evident target regarding the minimization of fossil fuel usage. Therefore, much attention has been focused on research to replace petroleum-based commodity plastics by biodegradable materials arising from biological and renewable resources. Biopolymers—polymers produced from natural sources either chemically from a biological material or biosynthesized by living organisms—are suitable alternatives for addressing these issues due to their outstanding properties, including good barrier performance, biodegradation ability, and low weight. However, they generally possess poor mechanical properties, a short fatigue life, low chemical resistance, poor long-term durability, and limited processing capability. In order to overcome these deficiencies, biopolymers can be reinforced with fillers or nanofillers (with at least one of their dimensions in the nanometer range). Bionanocomposites are advantageous for a wide range of applications, such as in medicine, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, food packaging, agriculture, forestry, electronics, transport, construction, and many more.

biodegradable films --- chitosan --- natural rubber --- n/a --- toughening --- elastomer --- deoxycholic acid --- cellulose fibers --- amphiphilic polymer --- cross-link density --- antioxidant activity --- nanocomposites --- silk fibroin --- impact properties --- conductivity --- antimicrobial agents --- Py-GC/MS --- Poly(propylene carbonate) --- biodisintegration --- peptide-cellulose conformation --- nanocomposite --- alginate films --- toughness --- protease sensor --- physical and mechanical properties --- biocomposites --- nanocellulose --- thermal decomposition kinetics --- potato protein --- micelles --- nanofibers --- mechanical properties --- active packaging materials --- cellulose --- structural profile --- glycol chitosan --- glass transition --- essential oils --- compatibility --- plasticized starch --- natural fibers --- biopolyester --- human neutrophil elastase --- biodegradation --- bio-composites --- fiber/matrix adhesion --- ?-tocopherol succinate --- MgO whiskers --- carbon nanotubes --- PLLA --- electrospinning --- chitin nanofibrils --- FTIR --- biopolymers composites --- DMA --- wheat gluten --- water uptake --- folic acid --- polycarbonate --- aerogel --- surfactant --- paclitaxel --- chemical pre-treatment --- biomass --- thermoplastic polyurethane --- poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-3-hydroxyvalerate) --- stress-strain --- polyfunctional monomers --- bio-based polymers --- tensile properties --- compatibilizer --- TG/FTIR --- PVA --- in vitro degradation --- poly(lactic acid) --- heat deflection temperature

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The first three papers describe research activities about poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based blends and their composites with wheat bran that were carried out under the framework of the BIONTOP project ("Novel Packaging Films and Textiles with Tailored End of Life and Performance Based on Bio-based Copolymers and Coatings", 837761) funded by the European Commission BBI-JU program. The melt fluidity, morphological, thermo-mechanical, creep and fracture properties of these promising biodegradable materials were considered and discussed. The reprint then includes two contributions (a review and a research article) written in the contest of ECOFUNCO project ("ECO Sustainable Multi FUNctional Biobased COATings with Enhanced Performance and End of Life Options", 837863) funded by the European Commission BBI-JU program. The review explores possible innovations in the field of solid and liquid biobased coatings, whereas the research article examines the modification of paper tissues with biobased additives for sustainable personal care applications. A research paper on the production of PLA-based composites to valorize hazelnut shell powder, which represents an agro-food waste, is also included in the reprint. Moreover, the reprint presents research papers investigating different biobased materials for environmental depollution, including hydrogel-based, bacterial cellulose-based and biochar-based materials. Finally, a research paper on the behavior of natural rubber during aging is presented.

Materials science.