PRATHEEP K. ANNAMALAI and DILIP DEPAN

ABSTRACT

Biobased nanocomposites have gained a huge attention from industrialists and aca­demic researchers. Chitosan is Ж-deacetylated derivative of the most abundant nitro­gen-rich polysaccharide in nature chitin. Chitosan is nontoxic, biodegradable, biocom­patible and antibacterial and biologically renewable. In recent decades, by combining the benefits of chitosan and reinforcement with various nanoparticles, a wide range of materials is developed for packaging, agricultural, medical and automotive applica­tions. In this chapter, we discuss the recent developments on chitosan-based nano­composites using the biologically renewable nanofillers called ‘nano-cellulose.’ Na­no-cellulose is obtained either as shorter nanocrystals or longer nanofibrils from the most abundant natural polymer cellulose, via acid hydrolysis, enzymatic treatment or mechanical shearing methods. Their reinforcement potential in the different matrices is attributed to the mechanical properties of individual nanofibers and the formation of a percolation network that connects the well dispersed cellulose nanocrystals by hy­drogen bonds and provides superior performance like mechanical, barrier, controlled drug release, and antibiotic properties. Here we review the recent trends and develop­ments on chitosan-cellulose nanocomposites including processing, properties required for packaging and biomedical engineering applications.

16.1 INTRODUCTION