Introduction to advances in bio-based polymers: chemical structures and functional properties at the interface

The broad scope of polymeric bio-based materials for diverse applications is reviewed in chapter 1. This chapter explores the field of bio-based materials, focusing on their interfacial properties and their potential to replace fossil-based polymers with sustainable alternatives. It provides an overview of key polymeric bio-based materials, such as polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, proteins, and nucleic acids, discussing their chemical structures, sources, and impacts on interfacial behavior. These materials are organized according to their basic chemical structures, offering a structured analysis of each class. Beyond these fundamental properties, the chapter addresses challenges related to their production and lifecycle. The current use of bio-based alternatives in the market is reviewed, highlighting material-specific surface and interfacial properties, interactions with the environment, integration into hybrid materials, and adhesive properties. The chapter emphasizes the importance of methods for modifying bio-based materials to tailor their performance for various applications, discussing specific chemical routes for this purpose. It provides an overview of the benefits and limitations of bio-based materials in modern industrial contexts, organized by respective biomaterial classes.