Current Applied Polymer Science - Volume 5, Issue 3, 2022

For the past two decades, environmentally friendly natural rubber composites and nanocomposites reinforced with renewable and biodegradable natural fillers have attracted the increasing attention of polymer researchers from both industrial and environmental viewpoints. The use of bio-based fillers in rubber materials has emerged as extremely promising in the progress of green rubber technology. The dispersion of bio-based fillers within the rubber matrix is the key parameter that decides the overall performance of bio-based rubber composites. An important criterion for obtaining superior properties in rubber composites is good interfacial adhesion between natural fillers and natural rubber matrix, along with good dispersion and distribution of fillers within the matrix. Natural fillers represent materials that are environmentally friendly, easily available, comprising of valuable lignocellulosic fractions and are from a bio-based feedstock. Recent developments in this area focus on renewable fillers such as cellulose, chitin and lignin in their micro and nanoforms. Additionally, recent studies have focused on the use of different types of biomass residue wastes in rubber composites with a view to adapting to the recent circular economy principles. This review presents an overview of various studies and highlights the area of bio-based filler reinforced natural rubber composites and also discusses the applications of such materials in industrial sectors.

Due to the greater thermal stability, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability of Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) resin, it occupies a very special position in the resin field. Nowadays, natural fiber reinforced PF composite materials are widely used. The objective of this study is to discuss the property improvements of natural fiber reinforced PF biocomposites. This review paper discusses thermal, electrical, diffusion, viscoelastic, tribological, morphological, and mechanical and biodegradability properties. Biocomposites will be a substitute for plastics which provides properties of both natural and synthetic ones. The greater the pollution magnitude, the more devastating the impacts on people’s health, the environment, and economic well-being. The main sources of pollution contributing to it are vehicle exhaust, open waste burning, lighting, heating and the combustion of various fuels for cooking. When compared with plastic materials, PF biocomposites are partially biodegradable, hence limiting the amount of pollution rate. Moreover, it has a wide range of applications, such as packaging, construction, automobiles, and household purposes. In short, this review aims to provide detailed information regarding PF biocomposites.

Chitosan is an amino-polysaccharide polymer that has a unique structure, multi properties, highly sophisticated functionality and a wide range of applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical research as well as other industrial applications in connection with both pharmaceutical and medical fields. Additionally, it appears that this unique material can be emphasized as a good candidate for drugs variety carrier, drug release applications, and ocular and antimicrobial applications including treatment of diabetes. This review highlights the importance and pharmaceutical applications of chitosan in different fields of research and applications.

This review explains the importance of polysaccharide derivatives in removing heavy metals and dyes from contaminated materials. With rising urbanization and industrialization, the availability of heavy metals and dyes in the environment is increasing. Heavy metals can cause a variety of health problems in individuals and offer major environmental dangers. This paper uses diverse techniques to discuss the most recent improvements in metal ion and dye adsorption from wastewater. Various derivatives of natural polymers can be used as good adsorbents for removing heavy metals and dyes from industrial wastewater and treated water released into the environment, lowering the risk of human disease and environmental problems. According to literature reviews, removing heavy metal ions from industrial effluent benefits both people and the environment. Graft copolymers are the most effective heavy metal ion and dye removal adsorbents, and the majority of them obey the pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order models. Also, an overview of each grafted co-polymers of polysaccharides for the adsorption of metal ions and dyes is mentioned in this review.

Background: Understanding nanocomposites' morphological characteristics is important for explaining their properties and their usefulness.

Methods: In this paper, we present the method for interfacial synthesis of polypyrrole and its gold nanocomposites with varying concentrations of polymer. The bonding involved in the nanocomposites is understood from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the crystalline nature of the particles.

Results: Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy studies showed that the spherical and globular nature of the particles is mutually connected to form nanocomposites compared with virgin polymer.

Conclusion: Catalytic behavior of gold nanoparticles in polymer composites is observed from the thermal analysis.