Division/Committee: [CELL: Division of Cellulose and Renewable Materials]

On the fight against our dependence on fossil-based materials, biobased nanomaterials raised as incredible weapon for more sustainable and greener materials. Besides its renewability, abundance, biodegradability, biocompatibility and costs, biobased nanomaterials present an outstanding surface chemistry. For instance, lignin and cellulose nanoparticles, two well-known plant-based nanomaterials, have received the majority of research attention due to its numerous active hydroxyl groups which provides surface modifications creating higher compatibility and tunability towards advanced applications. However, other renewal nanomaterials have attracted attention in terms of applications; these include starch, chitin, chitosan, hemicellulose, soy protein, casein, and alginates. Overall, the challenges lie on how to introduce novel functional groups onto the nanostructure avoiding any possible damage to the nanoparticle itself with higher sustainability. Additionally, how modification can adjust the surface properties or tuning its hydrophilichydrophobic balance of the materials enhancing their applicability. Lastly, how to successfully characterize these modified nanomaterials to understand the potential interactions within a matrix. This symposium aims to discuss the recent developments and future perspectives on synthesis, physical adsorption or chemical modification of biobased nanomaterials together with their interactions at the interphase and potential applications.

Diego Gomez-Maldonado

Northeastern University

Appearances