Surface Modification of Biobased Polysaccharide Nanoparticles via Grafting

Since the work of H. Staudinger in 1922 [1], no one can question the added value of macromolecular science on new manufacturing objects. In the same way, in the last few decades, nanocomposites have become an essential sector of polymer science. Indeed, particles 80,000 thinner than a human hair can be a very interesting alternative for achieving not only mechanical properties but also optical, thermal, gas barrier, and flame retardancy properties of polymers. In the earlier stages, it was mainly the so-called “hard” nanomaterials such as carbon or clays that have been used across many different applications with more or less success [2]. In another stream of activities, always driven by health and environmental concerns, biodegradable crystalline nanoparticles from renewable resources have attracted significant interest from the scientific community. In this framework, carbohydrate-based (polysaccharide) nanofillers have gained increased interest as part of an effort to avoid nanotoxicity and overcome environmental concerns [3].