Abstract
This chapter aims at giving a comprehensive account of the recent developments in the formation and properties of polysaccharide-silica nanocomposites particles obtained through self-assembly and sol-gel processes. It gives a review of the main synthesis routes and processing techniques investigated and used to elaborate hybrid polysaccharide-oxide nanocomposites. It includes a general presentation of polysaccharide nanorods structure and properties. Original approaches based on the colloidal association of nanosized polysaccharide rods (cellulose, chitin) and inorganic precursors (siloxane oligomers, aluminum oxo-hydroxo-clusters) are presented more extensively. Particular focus is then given to the modulation of the texture or the morphology of the particles using specific processes. The last section of the chapter finally addresses in detail the formation and characteristics of spray-dried mesoporous oxide microparticles highlighting an efficient application in heterogeneous catalysis.