proteins, lipids, or other molecules. In addition to these, biomasses may also contain a significant fraction of inorganic material. The inorganic fraction can be separated from the organic matrix by combustion in the form of ash, of which the amount and elemental composition vary greatly between biomass sources and combustion conditions [20, 21]. Most commonly, inorganic elements consist of Si, Ca, K, P, Al, Mg, Fe, S, Na, and Ti with different proportions depending on the biomass source [20].
Biomasses such as rice husk contain relatively high amounts of Si, which can be extracted and used in various applications from energy storage to construction materials [22]. The successful use of Si derived from biomass is shown as anode material for Li‐ion batteries. A major challenge for Si‐based anodes is the low capacity retention, large volume change during lithium insertion/deinsertion process, and poor electrical conductivity, which can be partly overcome by using nanostructured materials [23]. Chapter 4 provides some critical perspectives on the application of biomass‐derived Si in Li‐ion batteries.
Another potential use of biomass ashes is demonstrated in the production of construction materials. Removal of the organic matrix by controlled combustion produces Si‐rich ash that can be used to produce geopolymer materials as an alternative to traditional Portland cement [24]. These biomass ashes can substitute aluminosilicate sources instead of traditional fly ash from coal burning and leads to lower greenhouse gas production. Although large‐scale application of bio‐based inorganic materials is not available at the present time, the utilization of inorganic materials from biomasses is expected to increase with increasing environmental awareness. Challenges include the reduction of transportation cost of bulky biomass, and the inhomogeneity of ashes needs to be overcome to promote their usage. Various treatment options and applications of biomass ashes for geopolymer applications are discussed and assessed in Chapter 13.
1.3 Structure of the Book
This book covers a wide range of bio‐based materials for high‐performance applications, including their processing and comparison to state‐of‐the‐art materials. First, Chapters 2–5 focus on the synthesis and applications of biomass‐derived carbons. Chapter 2 starts with presenting the characteristics of biomasses and their thermochemical conversion into carbon‐based catalysts and catalyst supports, with examples of their application in various reactions. Chapter 3 focuses on Starbon®, a mesoporous carbonaceous material derived from waste polysaccharides. The unique properties of pristine and modified Starbon® are highlighted with selected applications in adsorption and catalysis. Chapter 4 presents the conversion of biowastes into carbon electrodes through carbonization and activation, emphasizing the importance of biowaste selection, structure control, and heteroatom doping for optimizing electrochemical performance. The chapter also presents selected applications of carbon electrodes in various energy devices. Chapter 5 continues with applications of bio‐derived materials in electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices such as fuel cells, capacitors, batteries, and as alternative binders therein.
Chapters 6–11 put emphasis on the extraction, modification, and applications of polysaccharides and other biopolymers for various applications in the environment and health. Chapter 6 presents the recent developments in biocompatible DES used to modify the mechanical, morphological, and chemical properties of bio‐derived materials. In addition, the use of DES in the formation of biocomposites and gels is discussed. In Chapter 7, biopolymer composites prepared from cellulose, alginate, chitosan, and lignin for the recovery of precious and heavy metals are presented. The adsorption performance of biopolymer composites with magnetic materials, polymers, and other materials are reviewed.
Health‐related applications of high‐performance bio‐based materials are presented in Chapters 8–11. Chapter 8 reviews the recent developments of bio‐based materials in anti‐HIV drug delivery systems. A wide variety of pre‐exposure prophylaxis products based on bio‐based polymers and their derivatives is presented. Chapter 9 follows with the synthesis and modification of chitin, chitin‐glucan complexes, and chitosan from biological feedstocks for anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, and gene delivery applications. In Chapter 10, bio‐based glycomaterials and carbohydrate‐functionalized materials are discussed including their application in drug/gene delivery, wound healing, biorecognition, and sensing. Chapter 11 highlights bio‐based feedstocks that can be used in scaffold manufacturing for tissue engineering.
The next two chapters make a transition toward inorganic materials. Chapter 12 discusses the green synthesis of bio‐based MOFs and the wide range of applications. Applications of geopolymers prepared from biomass ashes with applications in the construction industry are presented in Chapter 13.
Finally, the last three chapters present the use of bio‐based materials in food, packaging, and fertilizers. Chapter 14 highlights the use of various bio‐based materials as functional ingredients used in the formulation of lipophilic nutraceuticals. Key developments on the role of bio‐based materials in emulsions, colloidal delivery vehicles, as well as in drying technologies are reviewed. The use of bio‐based materials like polysaccharides and bio‐derived polymers in advanced packaging materials is discussed in Chapter 15. Finally, Chapter 16 presents the recent developments in controlled fertilizer applications using bio‐based materials such as polysaccharides, alkyd resins, polyurethanes, and biochars.
References
1 1. Munier, N. (2005). Introduction to Sustainability: Road to a Better Future. Dordrecht: Springer.
2 2. Blewitt, J. (2008). Understanding Sustainable Development. Padstow: Earthscan.
3 3. United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (1987). Our Common Futute (Brundtland Report). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4 4. The United Nations (1993). Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. New York: United Nations.
5 5. Schummer, J., Bensaude‐Vincent, B., and Van Tiggelen, B. (2007). The Public Image of Chemistry. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.
6 6. Anastas, P.T. and Warner, J.C. (1998). Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press.
7 7.
