Industrial Applications of Biopolymers and their Environmental Impact

Biopolymers represent a carbon emission solution: they are green and eco-friendly with a variety of uses in biomedical engineering, the automotive industry, the packaging and paper industries, and for the development of new building materials. This book describes the various raw materials of biopolymers and their chemical and physical properties, the polymerization process, and the chemical structure and properties of biopolymers. Furthermore, this book identifies the drawbacks of biopolymers and how to overcome them through modification methods to enhance the compatibility, flexibility, physicochemical properties, thermal stability, impact response, and rigidity.

Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun has been working in the area of polymer science, chemistry and rheology of polymeric materials, natural fibre composites, and biodegradable materials for over 15 years. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biobased Material Composites Engineering in 2011 from the University of Kassel, Germany. His recent research work focuses on the development of cheap, multifunctional material for automobile applications, optimization of the compounding, moulding and forming process, and improvement of price/performance property of final products. Dr. Mamun has published several research papers in peer-reviewed journals, books, and technical conference proceedings relevant to biobased materials, polymers, advance composites, and analysis of material. He is a member of the German Chemical Engineers Association, the Bio-Environmental Polymer Society, and National Plastic Engineering. He is a member of the editorial board of the Greener Journal of Science, Engineering and Technological Research, the Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, and the Greener Journal of Biological Sciences. Dr. Jonathan Y. Chen has been working in the area of textile science and engineering for over 30 years. Dr. Chen obtained his Ph.D. in Textile Engineering in 1995 from the University of Leeds, England. He is currently a professor in the School of Human Ecology and an affiliated faculty member of the Texas Materials Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. His current research focuses on the development of bio-functional micro/nano cellulose fiber for medical textiles and energy saving apparels; production and evaluation of biobased nonwoven composites for automotive interior manufacture; and fabrication and characterization of activated carbon fiber materials for use in protective garments, water/air filtration, bio- and chemical-contaminant cleanup, and noise absorption and insulation. Dr. Chen is Fellow of The Textile Institute (CText FTI) and a member of the Bio-Environmental Polymer Society. He is serving the editorial boards for the Journal of Industrial Textiles and the Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy. He has published numerous research papers in peer-reviewed journals, books, and technical conference proceedings relevant to textile materials, polymers, composites, bioresource technologies, and material testing.

Modification of Polylactic Acid (PLA) and its Industrial Applications. Grain Waste Product as Potential Bio-fiber Resources. Bio-based Polyamides. PHB Production, Properties, and Applications. Polyvinyl Alcohol and Polyvinyl Acetate. Starch and Starch-based Polymers. Chemistry of Cellulose. Chitin and Chitosan and Their Polymers. Carrageenan: A Novel and Future Biopolymer. Natural Rubber and Bio-based Thermoplastic Elastomer. A Life Cycle Assessment of Protein-based Bioplastics for Food Packaging Applications. Bio-polyurethane and Others. Keratin-based Bioplastic from Chicken Feathers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications.