Cellulose: a fascinating biopolymer for hydrogel synthesis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biochemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Growing environmental concerns drive demand for sustainable, eco-friendly materials.
• Cellulose, a renewable, biocompatible, and biodegradable biopolymer, is abundant in plant cell walls.
• Cellulose-based hydrogels are advanced biomaterials with excellent properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of cellulose-based hydrogels.
• To cover their synthesis, design, structures, and physicochemical properties.
• To explore their diverse applications in various fields.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of synthesis and design strategies for cellulose hydrogels.
• Analysis of the structural and physicochemical properties of these hydrogels.
• Compilation of current and potential applications across multiple disciplines.

Main Results:

• Cellulose hydrogels exhibit high water absorption efficiency and stimuli responsiveness.
• Their properties can be tailored through various synthesis and design approaches.
• Significant attention is drawn to their use in biomedical, agricultural, and flexible electronic fields.

Conclusions:

• Cellulose-based hydrogels are promising biomaterials due to their unique properties and sustainability.
• Further research into their functionalities can unlock novel applications.
• This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers in biomaterials science.