This brief explores recent progress in the area of polysaccharides and their composites and nanocomposites. It is a complete resource for the evolving field of polysaccharide based biomaterials and their applications in different fields. The volume focuses on their composition, properties, characterization, chemistry and applications and also highlights recent developments in polysaccharide based composites and nanocomposites spurred by advances in polymer technology and biotechnology. Divided into different sections featuring alginates, carrageenans, cellulose, starch, chitin, chitosan, gums, etc, each chapter presents chemical, physical, and biological attributes, and reviews the recent research performed such as drug carriers, selective water absorption materials from oil-water emulsions, purification of water, biomedical applications, etc. The authors hope that this brief will help to inspire scientists towards novel sources for chemicals, materials, and energy in the years to come.

Aerogels have been in use for over 80 years and have been utilised in a wide variety of applications, in particular, there has been growing use of insulating nanoporous materials in the aerospace industry. Recent awareness of the environmental implications of materials has driven researchers to develop new green materials, with aerogels being developed using biobased constituents, such as polysaccharides and proteins. Recently, biobased components, such as cellulose nanocrystals, have replaced synthetic counterparts in the production of nanoporous materials. Biobased Aerogels is the first book to cover aerogel research from a green perspective, using commentary and analysis from leading researchers working in the field. Aerogels based on polysaccharides and proteins, their preparation and characterisation will be covered in detail, with further discussion highlighting properties such as surface morphology, shape recovery, mechanical properties and adsorption capacity. This insightful and timely publication will provide essential reading for those researchers and industrialists working within the green chemistry field.