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Tailoring Functionality of Nanocellulose: Current Status and Critical Challenges
Yidong Zhang1,2, Wangfang Deng1,2, Meiyan Wu2
1Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology, Åbo Akademi University, Henrikinkatu 2, FI-20500 Turku, Finland.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 13, 2023
Summary
Chemical modifications enhance nanocellulose (NC) properties for advanced applications. Surface modifications introduce functionalities like hydrophobicity and conductivity, enabling diverse uses in sustainable materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Nanocellulose (NC), including cellulose nanofibril (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), is a renewable nanomaterial with exceptional properties.
- Increasing interest in NC stems from its potential in advanced applications, driving research into its surface modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review chemical modifications applied to nanocellulose.
- To highlight the introduction of new functionalities and their incorporation into functional materials.
Main Methods:
- Review of chemical modification techniques: silanization, esterification, oxidation, etherification, grafting, and coating.
- Analysis of NC incorporation into various materials: films, sensors, nanospheres, aerogels, hydrogels, and nanocomposites.
Main Results:
- Surface modifications impart functionalities such as hydrophobicity, conductivity, antibacterial properties, and absorbability.
- Incorporation of modified NC tailors the properties of diverse functional materials.
Conclusions:
- Despite challenges like low reactivity and scale-up issues, advancements in pretreatment and sustainable methods support NC's practical application.
- Nanocellulose is a promising green, sustainable nanomaterial poised for large-scale future applications.
