Progress in Nanocomposite of Biodegradable Polymer

This paper reviews recent developments related to biodegradable polymer nanocomposites. The prepa- ration, characterization, properties, and applications of nanocomposites based on biodegradable polymers are in- troduced systemically. The related biodegradable polymers include aliphatic polyesters such as polylactide (PLA), poly(e -caprolactone) (PCL), poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO), poly(butylenes succinate) (PBS), poly (hydroxyalkanoate)s such as poly(β -hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), and natural renewable polymers such as starch, cellulose, chitin, chitosan, lignin, and proteins. The nanoparticles that have been also utilized to fabricate the nanocomposites include inorganic, organic, and metal particles such as clays, nanotubes, magnetites, Au and Ag, hydroxyapatite, cellulose, chitin whiskers and lignin.