Bio-nanocomposites: Fundamentals and Recent Advances

The escalating interest in developing bio-based polymers and innovative process technologies is fuelled by a collective drive to diminish reliance on fossil fuels and transition toward material foundations. In this scenario, bio-nanocomposites show promise as a new field of study that might lead to the development of high-performing, lightweight green nanocomposite materials. Bio-nanocomposite materials have components of biological origin and particles with at least one dimension in the 1–100 nm range. Due to enhanced nano and biomaterial technologies, physicians may now be able to use their patients’ cells to heal some ailments. These advancements in nano-enabled approaches have significantly improved life quality and opened up an era to explore novel bio-nanocomposites, systems, therapies, etc. These are promising hybrid materials suitable for diverse technical applications, including artificial tissue culture, drug delivery, and biosensors. They are designed to undergo characterization over a specific period and subsequently degrade harmlessly within the body. The selection of biopolymers and the methods employed in their preparation play pivotal roles in determining bio-nanocomposites’ characteristics. This chapter comprehensively overviews extensively used bio-nanocomposites and their processing methods. The chapter summarizes and briefly describes recently studied bio-nanocomposites, highlighting key concepts such as biodegradability, biobased materials, and nanofillers and concluding with prospects for sustainable bio-nanocomposite materials.