Hierarchical chitin and chitosan-derived heterostructural nanocomposites: From interdisciplinary applications to a...

Natural biopolymeric nanomaterials are highly prioritized and indispensable for industrial production and human use due to their exceptional features. In recent years, the development of bioinspired materials has rapidly advanced, driven by their outstanding qualities and versatile applications. Among these, chitin and chitosan stand out for their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and hierarchical structures, captivating researchers worldwide. In order to ameliorate the characteristics of these materials, integrating them with complementary components such as polymers, organics, and nanomaterials to create multifunctional chitinous bio-composites has become increasingly important. This review highlights recent progress in the development of these composite biomaterials, emphasizing biomimetic design, synthesis methodologies, and applications in drug delivery, cancer therapy, tissue engineering, wound healing, antimicrobial activity, food safety, natural bio-adhesives, and various industrial uses, alongside their ecological balance on Earth within a sustainable vision. Additionally, the discussion also addresses ongoing challenges and explores potential prospects for advancing these innovative biocomposites.