Advanced Materials through Assembly of Nanocelluloses

Abstract

There is an emerging quest for lightweight materials with excellent mechanical properties and economic production, while still being sustainable and functionalizable. They could form the basis of the future bioeconomy for energy and material efficiency. Cellulose has long been recognized as an abundant polymer. Modified celluloses were, in fact, among the first polymers used in technical applications; however, they were later replaced by petroleum-based synthetic polymers. Currently, there is a resurgence of interest to utilize renewable resources, where cellulose is foreseen to make again a major impact, this time in the development of advanced materials. This is because of its availability and properties, as well as economic and sustainable production. Among cellulose-based structures, cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals display nanoscale lateral dimensions and lengths ranging from nanometers to micrometers. Their excellent mechanical properties are, in part, due to their crystalline assembly via hydrogen bonds. Owing to their abundant surface hydroxyl groups, they can be easily modified with nanoparticles, (bio)polymers, inorganics, or nanocarbons to form functional fibers, films, bulk matter, and porous aerogels and foams. Here, some of the recent progress in the development of advanced materials within this rapidly growing field is reviewed.

Particle image diffusometry: Resolving diffusion coefficient field from microscopy movie data without particle tracking

“…Therefore, rheological behaviors of CNFs have been actively discussed until today. [23][24][25][26] We prepared the sample dispersions in the domain with a thickness of 100 µm using a silicone sheet as a spacer and sealed with cover glasses on top and bottom sides as shown in Fig. 1.…”

Highly Thermal‐Resilient AgNW Transparent Electrode and Optical Device on Thermomechanically Superstable Cellulose Nanorod‐Reinforced Nanocomposites

“…Recently, thermally stable nanocelluloses derived from plants have received considerable attention as reinforcements for improving the thermomechanical performance of flexible transparent plastics . Specifically, cellulose nanocrystals or nanorods (CNs) exhibit incredible thermal stability with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of ≈0.1 ppm K −1 and an elastic modulus ( E ) of ≈130 GPa that remains stable from approximately −200 °C to >100 °C .…”

Cellulose as an Adhesive for the Synthesis of Carbon Aerogel with a 3D Hierarchical Network Structure for Capacitive Energy Storage

“…[13] Currently, a variety of excellent cellulose-based aerogels have been reported, which are expected to have positive effect in the fields of electrochemistry, catalytic chemistry, nanotechnology and so on. [13] Currently, a variety of excellent cellulose-based aerogels have been reported, which are expected to have positive effect in the fields of electrochemistry, catalytic chemistry, nanotechnology and so on.…”