Natural Polymers

In the search for sustainable materials, natural polymers present an attractive alternative for many applications compared to their synthetic counterparts derived from petrochemicals. The two volume set, Natural Polymers, covers the synthesis, characterisation and applications of key natural polymeric systems including their morphology, structure, dynamics and properties. Volume one focuses on natural polymer composites, including both natural and protein fibres, and volume two on natural polymer nanocomposites. The first volume examines the characterization, life cycle assessment and new sources of natural fibres and their potential as a replacement for synthetic fibres in industrial applications. It then explores the important advancements in the field of wool, silk, spidersilk and mussel byssus fibres. The second volume looks at the properties and characterization of cellulose, chitosan, furanic, starch, wool and silk nanocomposites and the potential industrial applications of natural polymer nanocomposites. With contributions from leading researchers in natural polymers from around the globe, Natural Polymers provides a valuable reference for material scientists, polymer chemists and polymer engineers. This complete set covers the morphology, structure, dynamics, properties and applications of all important natural polymers including the synthesis, characterisation and applications of natural polymer systems. The state-of-the-art techniques for the characterisation of natural polymers and their micro and nanostructured natural polymer systems are described. Finally, the various applications of natural polymer systems are covered. Leading researchers in this field from across the world have contributed to the books making the set an essential reference source.