Functional biopolymer nanocomposites based on layered solids

Abstract

Bio-nanocomposites are an emerging group of hybrid materials derived from natural polymers and inorganic solids interacting at the nanometric scale. These nanostructured organic–inorganic materials could be designed and prepared using a wide type of biopolymers and also inorganic solids with different compositions and topologies. Among these last solids, special attention is devoted to layered materials that show the ability to intercalate biopolymers giving hybrids with functional properties. This novel research topic envisages the future development of biomimetic materials to provide novel bio-nanocomposites as multicomponent and multifunctional materials.