Environmental impact, health implications, and life cycle assessment of bionanocomposites

The term “bionanocomposite” have been invented to describe a new type of nanocomposites comprised of stacked double hydroxides and natural polymers (biopolymers). In other words, bionanocomposites are composite materials with at least one dimension in the 1–100 nm range. Biopolymers, which are degradable and are also known as green nanocomposites or bioplastics, are biodegradable materials. The natural component such as a bone, a tooth, a seashell are examples of bionanocomposites. In addition to natural bionanocomposites, there are several human-made ones, such as biopolymer—clay nanocomposites and polysaccharides. For the manufacturing of these bionanocomposites systems, analysis is required to ensure the long-term safety and viability of new nanotechnologies. The EIO-LCA model at Carnegie Mellon examines the economic and environmental impacts of manufacturing of nanocomposites across the supply chain. The vehicle model examines the direct and life cycle impacts of replacing steel with a nanocomposite. Bionanocomposites can also be used in regenerative medicine and in regulated drug release due to their biocompatibility. The application of biodegradable nanocomposites in tissue engineering, particularly bone implants, is being investigated. It has the same nanostructure, porosity, surface roughness, and mechanical qualities as real bone. In environmental and water purification, chitosan is used, which may be ultrasonically deionized to remove metal ions due to reversible interactions between chitosan and metal ions. As a result, magnetic chitosan nanocomposites may be used to recycle heavy metal ions from water.