Introduction: biopolymers and biocomposites

Abstract

Abstract Biopolymers and biocomposites are an exciting class of ubiquitous materials. Interest in these materials has been driven in part by their biocompatibility/biodegradability, sustainability, potentially low-cost, renewability, being environmental benign, among other properties. These fascinating materials come in a range of forms from the DNA and RNA that is essential to life to the cellulose and collagen that mechanically reinforce tissues and as hybrid organic–inorganic composites like teeth. Herein, we summarize some aspects of the two classes of materials biopolymer and biocomposites, exploring specific examples while pointing to potential monomer sources, neoteric post-extraction modification and processing conditions. This lays the foundation to the following more specific chapters while illustrating the breadth of these material classes.