Polysaccharide–Based Nanocrystals: Chemistry and Applications

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.

INTRODUCTION
Polysaccharide Nanocrystals
Polysaccharide Nanocrystals in Material Science
Prospect of Polysaccharide Nanocrystals-Based Materials

STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF POLYSACCHARIDE NANOCRYSTALS
Cellulose Nanocrystals
Chitin Nanocrystals
Starch Nanocrystals
Other Polysaccharide Nanocrystals

SURFACE MODIFICATION OF POLYSACCHARIDE NANOCRYSTALS 
Physical Modification
Conjugation of Small Molecules
'Graft onto' Strategy
'Graft from' Strategy

METHODS TO DEVELOP POLYSACCHARIDE NANOCRYSTAL-BASED MATERIALS 
Nanocomposites: Theory and Process
Self-Assembly
Functionalization
Precursor Development

POLYSACCHARIDE NANOCRYSTAL-BASED NANOCOMPOSITES 
Rubber
Polyolefin
Polyurethane and Waterborne Polyurethane
Polyester
Starch Plastics
Protein Plastics
Other Matrices

POLYSACCHARIDE NANOCRYSTAL-BASED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 
Biomedical Materials: Imaging, Drug Carriers, Cell Scaffolds
Biomimetic Materials: Bio-Inspired Mechanically-Adaptive Materials, and Biomimetic Optical Nanomaterials
Polymer electrolytes
Other Functional Materials: Permselective Membranes, Pollutant Decontamination, Emulsion Stabilizers, Nano-Templates

CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYSACCHARIDE NANOCRYSTAL-BASED MATERIALS 
Mechanical Properties of Polysaccharide Nanocrystal-Based Materials
Thermal Behavior of Polysaccharide Nanocrystal-Based Materials
Dispersion of Polysaccharide Nanocrystals: Observation of Polysaccharide Nanocrystals in Matrix, and 3D Network of Polysaccharide Nanocrystals
Interaction between Polysaccharide Nanocrystals and Matrix
Interface of Polysaccharide Nanocrystals/Matrix