Functional naturally derived materials to improve the environment: Chemical structures, modifications, applications, and future perspectives

Naturally derived polymers have recently gained interest worldwide due to concerns about increasing greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of fossil resources. Naturally derived polymers, such as polysaccharides, protein, lipids, fatty acids, and lignin, are produced from renewable resources and abundant in nature, and provide a negative carbon footprint. Naturally derived polymers have played a pivotal role in producing high-performance functional materials in environmental applications. However, the use of naturally derived polymers is largely limited by their cost of collection and separation, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties. New modification and functionalization methods are urgently needed to satisfy the versatile market needs on material properties and performance. Thus, this chapter reviews (1) the types of naturally derived materials and their molecular structures; (2) various modification and functionalization methods; and (3) their applications in wastewater remediation, environmental sensors, food safety, and smart fertilizers. Finally, we address the existing barriers and challenges faced by bio-based materials and their future perspectives.