A Review of Recent Developments in Nanocellulose-Based Conductive Hydrogels

Abstract

: Nanocellulose have attracted much research interests owing to its biocompatibility, low density, environmental sustainability, flexibility, ease of surface modification, excellent mechanical properties and ultrahigh surface areas. Recently, lots of research efforts have focused on nanocellulose-based conductive hydrogels for different practical applications, including electronic devices, energy storage, sensors, composites, tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. A wide variety of conductive hydrogels have been developed from nanocellulose, which can be in the form of cellulose nanofibers (CNF), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) or bacterial cellulose (BC). This review presents the recent progresses in the development of nanocellulose-based conductive hydrogels, their advanced functions, including 3D printability, self-healing capacity and high mechanical performances, as well as applications of the conductive nanocellulose hydrogels.

When nanocellulose meets hydrogels: the exciting story of nanocellulose hydrogels taking flight

“…In this case, the excellent dispersibility and compatibility of nanocellulose with hydrophilic polymers facilitate the dispersion of various conductive substances in the hydrogel matrix. 153 Due to the incorporation of nanocellulose in hydrogels, they exhibit superior conductivity, stability, and processability, and their self-healing properties make them more adaptable to the workplace than commercially available conductive materials. In addition, nanocellulose hydrogels also have strong market competitiveness as a new class of conductive materials given that their raw ingredients are plentiful and renewable.…”

Ultrathin Freestanding Nanocellulose Film Prepared from TEMPO-Mediated Oxidation and Homogenized Hydrogel

“…Currently, it is possible to break down commonly employed cellulose fibers with diameters in the range of several micrometers into nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) fibers with diameters on the nanometer scale . Consequently, the films composed of nanocellulose demonstrate unique mechanical − and optical properties − that are absent in conventional thick cellulose materials. Nanocellulose has a wide spectrum of potential applications, including but not limited to oil absorption, security printing, biological and life science, − liquid and gas-proof materials, − water purification, electronic devices, − and nanocomposites. ,,− …”