Nanocellulose-based products for sustainable applications-recent trends and possibilities

• Published in: Reviews in environmental science and biotechnology Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 779 - 806
• Main Authors: Reshmy, R., Philip, Eapen, Paul, Sherely A., Madhavan, Aravind, Sindhu, Raveendran, Binod, Parameswaran, Pandey, Ashok, Sirohi, Ranjna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.12.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: anisotropy; Aspect ratio; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; biobased products; Biocompatibility; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Biomedical engineering; Biomedical materials; Biopolymers; cellulose; Earth and Environmental Science; engineering; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; extraction; fields; Interdisciplinary research; Interdisciplinary studies; markets; Mechanical properties; Microbiology; Nanoparticles; Optical properties; petroleum; Review Paper; shape; strength (mechanics); surface area; Surface chemistry; Waste treatment; Packaging; Nanocellulose; Optical materials; Biomass; Water purification; Biomedical
• ISSN: 1569-1705; 1572-9826
• DOI: 10.1007/s11157-020-09551-z

The bio-based products can provide a solution to the problems associated with petroleum shortages and waste treatment. Nanocellulose development has raised massive interest for a variety of applications pertinent to the material engineering to biomedical fields due to its biodegradable nature, impressive optical properties, anisotropic shape, high mechanical strength, excellent biocompatibility and tailorable surface chemistry. The nanocellulose composites show improved properties compared to other biopolymers due to their high surface area and large aspect ratio of nanoparticles. In this review, a clear overview of nanocellulose extraction, structural properties, sources and their applications in versatile fields are discussed. The foreseen markets of nanocellulose products can be categorised into different levels namely low-end, mid-range and high-end applications. An interdisciplinary research is essential to commercialize nanocellulose based products for sustainable applications. Graphic abstract