Publications

Abstract : Nanotechnology is increasingly being promoted to adopt “greener” technology that will improve the environmental performance of existing industries, reduce consumption of resources and energy, and enable the environmentally benign economic expansion. A novel approach in the field of sustainable/green nanotechnology is to develop advanced bio-composite materials with desirable properties using renewable and benign materials as exemplified herein by plant gum-based resources. The present chapter focuses on the fabrication and characterization of bioplastic fibers/films based on plant gums or other natural polymers via electrospinning or solution casting methods. Additionally, the integration of graphene oxide as a potential additive to blend in the plant gum based films/fibers to improve their physicochemical, tensile, thermal and antibacterial properties are investigated. Further, how the green technologies such as plasma, and γ-ray irradiation treatments on plant gum fibers/films have affected the enhancement of their structural, mechanical properties and biodegradability are also epitomized with suitable examples. The bioplastic fibers/films produced from bio-based materials played a noteworthy role in numerous imperative sectors, such as environmental bioremediation, medical, food carrying bags and packaging are appraised. This chapter would be of interest to the broad readership of material scientists, chemists, engineers and researchers associated with the sustainable developments and foresee the progress of economic and ecological products based on plant gums.