Natural Nanofibers in Polymer Membranes for Energy Applications

Natural fibers from cellulose and chitin are largely used as reinforcing materials thanks to their attracting properties combined with low cost. As a consequence, natural fiber-polymer composites are extremely interesting because they are lightweight, economical and available in a variety of shapes. By modifying either the resin system or the origin or dimensions of the fibers, biocomposites can be designed for different applications. This chapter briefly introduces natural nanofibers and their production processes. It proposes and overviews polymer nanocomposite membranes based on natural fibers, focusing on their application in the energy field, with a discussion of fundamental research in this area.