Polysaccharide-Based Nanocrystals

Polysaccharide nanocrystals, an emerging green nanoingredient (nanomaterial) with high crystallinity obtained by acid hydrolysis of biomass-based polysaccharides, are of scientific and economic significance owing to their abundance, biodegradation potential, and fascinating functional performance. This versatile class of materials can be used in nanocomposites such as rubber or polyester, and in functional materials such as drug carriers, bio-inspired mechanically adaptive materials or membranes, to name but a few. This book encompasses the extraction, structure, properties, surface modification, theory, and mechanism of diverse functional systems derived from polysaccharide nanocrystals. This highly sought-after trendy book is currently the only monograph devoted to the most current knowledge pertaining to this exciting subject area. It is ideal for researchers and stakeholders who wish to broaden and deepen their knowledge in the fast-moving and rapidly expanding R&D field of polymeric materials.

Prof. Dr. Jin Huang is affiliated with College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, China. He received the PhD from College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, China. His research interest focuses on "Developing chemical and physical methodology and technologies to manufacturing green materials from biomass resources". He has worked on the preparation and evaluation of bioplastics, composites and nanocomposites using natural polymers including cellulose, chitin and chitosan, starch, plant proteins etc., and explored some advanced applications in biomedical field. Up to now, he has authored and co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal publications (h-index of 24), 7 book chapters, over 40 granted patents, and many conference papers/presentations. Prof. Dr. Chang is affiliated with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/Government of Canada, and with the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. His research interests focus on "developing new opportunities from bio-resources for supporting a robust and vibrant bioeconomy". He works on the characterization and processing of biopolymers from agricultural/biomass production, and devising functional systems (bioplastics, biocomposites, nanocomposites, biomaterials etc.) and other industrial products. Prior to his current postings, Dr. Chang worked 15 years for several consulting firms which offered practical solutions to domestic and international companies in the agri-food and bio-resource industries. He has authored 120+ peer-reviewed papers (h-index of 29), 90+ technology transfer contract reports to industry, many authoritative reviews and book chapters, four granted patents, and numerous conference papers/presentations. Dr. Ning Lin received his PhD at the International School of Paper, Print Media and Biomaterials (Pagora) in Grenoble Institute of Technology, France. Currently, he is conducting postdoctoral research in Université Joseph Fourier and Grenoble Institute of Technology, France. He has authored 14 scientific publications, 4 book chapters and 2 patents. His research interests include chemical modification, design and development of nanocomposite, and functional application based on biomass nanoparticles. Professor Dr. Alan Dufresne is affiliated with The International School of Paper, Print Media and Biomaterials (Pagora) at Grenoble Institute of Technology, France. He received his PhD in 1991 from the Department of Electronic at the Toulouse National Institute of Applied Science. His main research interests concern the processing and characterization of polymer nanocomposites reinforced with nanoparticles extracted from renewable resources. He has authored and co-authored more than 200 scientific publications (h-index of 58) and 38 book chapters, as well as a monograph on nanocellulose in 2012. He was invited professor at Universidade Federal de Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) (Brazil) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) (Malaysia).

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