Recent advances in cellulose microgels: Preparations and functionalized applications.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Microgels are stimuli-responsive polymeric particles with applications in various fields.
• Cellulose microgels are a subclass of microgels with advantageous properties like biocompatibility and designability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review fabrication strategies for microgels and specifically cellulose microgels.
• To elaborate on the application prospects of cellulose microgels.
• To discuss challenges and future scope for cellulose microgels.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of microgel and cellulose microgel fabrication.
• Analysis of cellulose microgel characteristics and applications.
• Discussion of future research directions.

Main Results:

• Cellulose microgels possess unique hydroxyl structure, designability, pore network, and biocompatibility.
• They show promise in controlled release, interface stabilization, coating, purification, nutrition/drug delivery, and bio-fabrication.
• Current challenges and future development scope are identified.

Conclusions:

• Cellulose microgels are promising multifunctional biomaterials.
• Their unique properties support diverse applications, particularly in drug delivery and bio-fabrication.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges and fully realize their potential.