The present disclosure is generally directed to biopolymers having coilednanostructures, methods of making those biopolymers, and applicationsinvolving thosebiopolymers.Biopolymers having coiled nanostructures may be produced through abiophysical process by which the shape of a biopolymer macromolecular chain isaltered.Biopolymers having coiled nanostructures may then be cross-linked to preparebiopolymericnetworks. The biopolymeric networks may be configured to incorporate solidparticles, in whichthey serve to hold the solid particles together against external stresses,solvents, and the like.For this reason, the biopolymers having coiled nanostructures are useful in avariety ofapplications, including in an improved process for forming iron ore pellets.
