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Stimuli-responsive cellulose nanocrystals: From small molecule modification to controlled polymer grafting using
Mitra Hosseingholizadeh1, Milad Babazadeh-Mamaqani2, Hossein Roghani-Mamaqani3
1Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, P.O. Box: 15875-4413, Tehran, Iran.
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
|November 20, 2025
Summary
Surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) enhances their properties. This review details physical and chemical methods, including polymer grafting, to create advanced CNCs for diverse applications like drug delivery and biosensing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) possess desirable properties like renewability and biocompatibility.
- Their inherent hydrophilicity limits integration into hydrophobic matrices for high-performance nanocomposites.
- Surface functionalization is crucial for tailoring CNC properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review physical and chemical modification strategies for cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs).
- To highlight polymer grafting techniques for creating functionalized CNCs.
- To explore the applications of modified CNCs in advanced materials.
Main Methods:
- Physical modification via electrostatic interactions.
- Chemical modification through small molecule attachment and polymer grafting.
- Polymer grafting strategies: 'grafting from', 'grafting onto', and 'grafting through' using Reversible Deactivation Radical Polymerization (RDRP).
Main Results:
- Surface functionalization overcomes CNC hydrophilicity limitations.
- RDRP enables precise control over grafted polymer characteristics (molecular weight, dispersity, grafting density).
- Functionalized CNCs demonstrate potential in drug delivery, antimicrobial systems, and biosensors.
Conclusions:
- Surface modification, particularly covalent grafting of stimuli-responsive polymers, yields 'smart' CNCs.
- Tailored CNCs offer versatile solutions for advanced material applications.
- Controlled grafting via RDRP is key to unlocking the full potential of CNCs.
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