@article { ISI:000229119800001, title = {Recent advances in biodegradable nanocomposites}, journal = {Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology}, volume = {5}, number = {4}, year = {2005}, month = {APR}, pages = {497-526}, publisher = {AMER SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHERS}, type = {Article}, address = {26650 THE OLD RD, STE 208, VALENCIA, CA 91381-0751 USA}, abstract = {

There is growing interest in developing bio-based products and innovative process technologies that can reduce the dependence on fossil fuel and move to a sustainable materials basis. Biodegradable bio-based nanocomposites are the next generation of materials for the future. Renewable resource-based biodegradable polymers including cellulosic plastic (plastic made from wood), corn-derived plastics, and polyhydroxyalkanoates (plastics made from bacterial sources) are some of the potential biopolymers which, in combination with nanoclay reinforcement, can produce nanocomposites for a variety of applications. Nanocomposites of this category are expected to possess improved strength and stiffness with little sacrifice of toughness, reduced gas/water vapor permeability, a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, and an increased heat deflection temperature, opening an opportunity for the use of new, high performance, lightweight green nanocomposite materials to replace conventional petroleum-based composites. The present review addresses this green material, including its technical difficulties and their solutions.

}, keywords = {cellulose, layered silicates and properties, Nanocomposite, poly(caprolactone)s, poly(hydroxy alkanoate)s, polyiactic acid, Starch}, issn = {1533-4880}, doi = {10.1166/jnn.2005.111}, author = {Pandey, J. K. and Kumar, A. P. and Misra, M. and Mohanty, A. K. and Drzal, L. T. and Singh, R. P.} } @article { ISI:000259888700043, title = {Biocomposites of cellulose reinforced starch: improvement of properties by photo-induced crosslinking}, journal = {Bioresource Technology}, volume = {99}, number = {18}, year = {2008}, month = {DEC}, pages = {8803-8809}, publisher = {ELSEVIER SCI LTD}, type = {Article}, address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, OXON, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

In the present study, the composite films have been prepared from the aqueous dispersions of starch with microcrystalline cellulose using glycerol as plasticizer and irradiated under ultraviolet (UV) light using sodium benzoate as photo-sensitizer. Photocrosslinking was characterized by measuring the water absorption under 100\% relative humidity, swelling degree and gel fraction in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSC), upon irradiation time. Both, the incorporation of cellulose and photo-irradiation were found to decrease the water absorption, swelling in DMSO and increase the gel fraction. Thermal transitions indicated the anti-plasticization of amylopectin chains at the fiber/matrix interface. With increasing content of cellulose and photo-irradiation time, the tensile modulus and strength were found to improve. It is summarized that the combination of cellulose reinforcement and photo-crosslinking of matrix has improved the physical and mechanical properties. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Biocomposites, cellulose, Photo-irradiation and crosslinking, Starch}, issn = {0960-8524}, doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2008.04.045}, author = {Kumar, Annamalai Pratheep and Singh, Raj Pal} } @article { ISI:000298305400004, title = {Recent applications of starch derivatives in nanodrug delivery}, journal = {Carbohydrate Polymers}, volume = {87}, number = {2}, year = {2012}, month = {JAN}, pages = {987-994}, publisher = {ELSEVIER SCI LTD}, address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, OXON, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

Starch has found use in industries as diverse as food, textiles, cosmetics, plastics, adhesives, paper, and pharmaceuticals. From a pharmaceutical standpoint, starch finds its value in solid-oral dosage forms, where it has been used as a binder, diluent, and disintegrant. However, only recently has the use of starch in nanotechnology started to make significant advances in biomedical applications, including newer drug delivery techniques. There has been a considerable effort to develop biodegradable nanoparticles as effective drug delivery systems. Being cheap, non-toxic, renewable, biodegradable and compatible with many other materials for industrial applications, starch is attracting the interest of drug delivery scientists. We have put together in a short and concise format, recent applications of starch derivatives in the emerging field of nanodrug delivery with the conclusion that a lot still needs to be done. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Applications, nanotechnology, Starch}, issn = {0144-8617}, doi = {10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.09.044}, author = {Rodrigues, Asha and Emeje, Martins} }