Nanocellulose‐Based Functional Materials: From Chiral Photonics to Soft Actuator and Energy Storage

Abstract

Nanocellulose is currently in the limelight of extensive research from fundamental science to technological applications owing to its renewable and carbon-neutral nature, superior biocompatibility, tailorable surface chemistry, and unprecedented optical and mechanical properties. Herein, an up-to-date account of the recent advancements in nanocellulose-derived functional materials and their emerging applications in areas of chiral photonics, soft actuators, energy storage, and biomedical science is provided. The fundamental design and synthesis strategies for nanocellulose-based functional materials are discussed. Their unique properties, underlying mechanisms, and potential applications are highlighted. Finally, this review provides a brief conclusion and elucidates both the challenges and opportunities of the intriguing nanocellulose-based technologies rooted in materials and chemistry science. This review is expected to provide new insights for nanocellulose-based chiral photonics, soft robotics, advanced energy, and novel biomedical technologies, and promote the rapid development of these highly interdisciplinary fields, including nanotechnology, nanoscience, biology, physics, synthetic chemistry, materials science, and device engineering.

Liquid Crystal Templated Chiral Plasmonic Films with Dynamic Tunability and Moldability

“…DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202111280 thin films exhibiting circular dichroism (CD) or circularly polarized luminescence have been widely studied to realize novel types of organic light-emitting diodes, polarizers, and organic field-effect transistors. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Meeting the requirements for particular applications requires tuning the chiroptical properties of the films, which is possible through a rational choice of building blocks and control over the symmetry and geometry of the film. Thus, it is not surprising that soft organic matter has been a primary choice, owing to its processability, self-assembly, and possibilities for mesoscopic morphology control.…”

Biomimetic Biomaterials Based on Polysaccharides: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives

“…Besides having superior mechanical performance, materials with chiral nematic structures are mainly investigated for their photonic properties. This subject has been covered in recent reviews, [35][36][37] which highlights its current importance. An interesting example of such materials is the chiral nematic photonic crystal films prepared by Chen and co-workers, [38] who assembled a photoactive polymer with CNCs to form light-and humidity-responsive films.…”

Cellulose‐Based Soft Actuators

“…[ 18,19 ] Since cellulose, a new member of the actuator material family, provides all of the properties mentioned above, it has the potential to develop advanced soft actuators that could significantly transform the flexible electronic industry. [ 20 ]…”

“…[18,19] Since cellulose, a new member of the actuator material family, provides all of the properties mentioned above, it has the potential to develop advanced soft actuators that could significantly transform the flexible electronic industry. [20] In general, the main body of cellulose-based actuators could be classified into regenerated cellulose polymers, [21] nanocellulose, [22] and cellulose fiber. [23] Each main body of cellulose-based actuators, individually or together with other component, have been reported to owns the ability to respond to distinct stimuli signal, such as electricity, [24,25] thermal, [26,27] magnetic, [28,29] moisture.…”