Abstract
As a renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic material with moderate mechanical and thermal properties, nanocellulose-based hydrogels are receiving immense consideration for various biomedical applications. With the unique properties of excellent skeletal structure (hydrophilic functional groups) and micro-nano size (small size effect), nanocellulose can maintain the three-dimensional structure of the hydrogel to a large extent, providing mechanical strength while ensuring the moisture content. Owing to its unique features, nanocellulose-based hydrogels have made excellent progress in research and development on tissue engineering, drug carriers, wound dressings, development of synthetic organs, 3D printing, and biosensing. This review provides an overview of the synthesis of different types of nanocellulose, including cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers, and bacterial nanocellulose, and describes their unique features. It further provides an updated knowledge of the development of nanocellulose-based functional biomaterials for various biomedical applications. Finally, it discusses the future perspective of nanocellulose-based research for its advanced biomedical applications.
Highlights
Hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) network materials consisting of cross-linked hydrophilic polymers
The findings of this study indicate that the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs)/chitosan nanocomposite could be used for gastric-specific drug delivery (Yunessnia lehi et al, 2019)
Non-toxic, and renewable material with appropriate mechanical strength, nanocellulose-based hydrogels have been proved to be a promising material for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications
Summary
Hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) network materials consisting of cross-linked hydrophilic polymers. The physical cross-linked cellulose-based hydrogels are widely used in the preparation of biomedical materials because no other chemical substances are added to them, which may otherwise cause toxicity to the cells or tissues, and ensuring good biocompatibility without compromising the basic morphology and chemical properties. Compared to CNCs and CNFs, the BNC has become the preferred material for the preparation of hydrogels due to its unique fibrous and network morphology similar to natural extracellular matrix (ECM), non-toxicity, biodegradability, high mechanical strength, flexibility, and moldability. Controlled pore size, biocompatible Extra ordinary mechanical properties, biocompatible 3D structure, biocompatible
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