Unlocking the potential of nanocellulose in biomedical innovations: A sustainable marvel

With rapid urbanization and growing apprehensions due to environmental and ecological issues, the synthesis of novel functional and innovative materials is on the rise. If developed from natural resources, such complex chemicals and novel materials will be better for the environment. Such chemical products of great public value will encourage green synthesis. Cellulose and nanocellulose (NC) gained extensive consideration as a nano-reinforcement for polymer matrices, finding applications in countless businesses. Because of its intrinsic sustainability characteristics and abundant availability, NC stands out as a highly significant and promising ecological material in today's world. This review explores NC properties (such as Modification of hydroxyl groups, Covalent modification, and Functionalization with ionic groups), drawing on research where SEM, AFM, and XRD techniques analyze its morphology, surface properties, and crystallinity, significant variations, and a scientometric study. This review also summarizes recent advances and emerging uses of NC and its nanocomposites in biological and medical applications like wound dressing, tissue engineering and repair, stem cell therapy, smart drug delivery, biosensing, and new biomedical applications. NC has outstanding mechanical strength, Young's modulus, and biocompatibility, and is used to synthesize an extensive variety of nanomaterials, comprising metal, metal oxide, polymer, and carbon nanostructures and nanocomposites. It is also used in food packaging, reinforced polymer composites with high mechanical strength, tissue scaffolds, drug delivery, biosensors, filtration, biophotonics, and 3D bioprinting. The versatility of NC and its contribution to sustainable innovation establish it as a crucial material for environmental and medical advancements.