A comprehensive review on chemical properties and applications of biopolymers and their composites

In a world that canopies numerous opportunities to advance towards a green sustainable life, biopolymer development offers a platform that fits into the paradigm of achieving an eco-friendly environment whilst reducing reliance on the scarce fossil fuel elements for the fabrication of day-to-day products. Today's technological improvements have aided biopolymer end-products to escalate to higher purposes and soon may have their performance level in par with the petroleum-based synthetic polymers. The motive of this paper is to shimmer light on some aspects of biopolymers that include its classes, properties, composites and applications. Depending on the type of class on the basis of various categories, many enthralling chemistries of polymer composition can be substantiated. Essential properties can imparted to the ensuing biopolymer by altering its chemical configuration and method of synthesis while also focusing on its functional purpose. Nowadays, biopolymer composites blend qualities of one biopolymer with another to acquire an enhanced component that showcases unique explicit attributes. There are several techniques to process biopolymer composites, of which in-situ, infiltration and electrospinning methods have captured considerable limelight. Biopolymers and its composites have embarked captivating impressions in regions of biomedical, packaging, agricultural and automotive applications. Although their efficacy is yet to reach their fossil fuel counterparts, biopolymers have laid a distinguishing mark that will continue to inspire creation of novel substances for many years to come. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.