Abstract
Nanocellulose, derived from cellulose hydrolysis, has unique optical and mechanical properties, high surface area, and good biocompatibility. It is frequently used as a reinforcing agent to improve the native properties of materials. The presence of functional groups in its surface enables the alteration of its behavior and its use under different conditions. Nanocellulose is typically used in the form of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), or bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). CNCs and CNFs have a high aspect ratio with typical lengths of ∼100–250 nm and 0.1–2 μm, respectively; BNC is nanostructured cellulose produced by bacteria. Nanohybrid materials are a combination of organic or inorganic nanomaterials with macromolecules forming a single composite and typically exhibit superior optical, thermal, and mechanical properties to those of native polymers, owing to the greater interactions between the macromolecule matrix and the nanomaterials. Excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability make nanocellulose an ideal material for applications in biomedicine. Unlike native polymers, nanocellulose-based nanohybrids exhibit a sustained drug release ability, which can be further optimized by changing the content or chemical environment of the nanocellulose, as well as the external stimuli, such as the pH and electric fields. In this review, we describe the process of extraction of nanocellulose from different natural sources; its effects on the structural, morphological, and mechanical properties of polymers; and its various applications.
Highlights
IntroductionCellulose is the most abundant polymer in nature[1] and consists of polysaccharides with long chains of b-D-glucopyranose units assembled by b-1,4 glycosidic bonds, which form a dimer known as cellobiose.[2] It is an important constituent of plant cell walls, where it provides mechanical support; it is present in other organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and even sea Dinesh K
AThe Institute of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea bDepartment of Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
Nanocellulose has drawn a lot of attention from the scienti c community in recent year, especially in the form of bacterial cellulose, cellulose nano brils, and cellulose nanocrystals, owing to their unique inheritance properties, easy fabrication, and biodegradability and biocompatibility
Summary
Cellulose is the most abundant polymer in nature[1] and consists of polysaccharides with long chains of b-D-glucopyranose units assembled by b-1,4 glycosidic bonds, which form a dimer known as cellobiose.[2] It is an important constituent of plant cell walls, where it provides mechanical support; it is present in other organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and even sea Dinesh K Patel has obtained his PhD degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU)Varanasi, India in 2016. He will receive his PhD degree under the supervision of Professor Ki-Taek Lim from the Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kangwon National University His current research interests focus on the characterization of various cellulosebased biomaterials as extracellular matrices for tissue engi-. The removal of toxic ions from polluted media through nanocellulose-based hybrids membranes represent a new, fascinating strategy for water puri cation
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