Review of nanocellulose for sustainable future materials

Abstract

Cellulose, the chain of glucose residues easily obtained from nature, is the most common natural polymer. Owing to its own unique material properties, compared to the conventional usage, nanocellulose (NC) with a crystalline structure can be considered to be used in various industrial applications. As a novel sustainable future material, we review the recent achievements of NC from the view point of material extraction and the composite processes to some extended important applications. While the mechanical properties of NCs and the energy consumption during their composite processing are the key considerations, their application potentials have never been limited to mechanical or commodity products as conventional celluloses. In the latter part of this review, emerging engineering applications of NCs such as energy storage, flexible electronics, and smart materials will be further discussed for readers searching future high-end eco-friendly functional materials. Also some suggestions for potential applications will be also discussed.

Compressive behavior of rigid polyurethane foams nanostructured with bacterial nanocellulose at low and intermediate strain rates

“…Several studies have also emphasized that the use of nanostructured foams could improve the specific mechanical properties of the material . In this regard, nanocellulose is a promising candidate in the development of sustainable, nontoxic, and low density RPUFs with enhanced mechanical properties . Most of the aforementioned studies have been aimed at investigating the synthesis of the nanostructured RPUFs with little focus on the strain‐rate dependence of the mechanical properties.…”

Potential of Nanocellulose Composite for Electromagnetic Shielding

“…A few examples of biodegradable polymer-CNF based nanocomposites and their mechanical properties were discussed in 17 . This includes Poly(vinyl alcohol) -CNF, Poly(lactic acid) -CNF, Poly(ethylene oxide) -CNF, Chitosan -CNF, Starch -CNF and Soy protein -CNF.…”

Bamboo Particles-Polyvinyl Chloride Composites: Analysis of Particles Size Distribution and Composites Performance

“…In a different occasion, particles size also influenced the mixing performance of thermoplastic composite (Atuanya et al, 2014). Dispersion uniformity in the matrix becomes poorer when using high aspect ratio particles (Bledzki and Gassan, cited in Kim, Shim, Kim, Lee, Min, Jang, Abas, and Kim, 2015). Satov (2008) added that the fine particles will cause higher melt viscosities which generally influence the processing performance.…”

“…In accordance to Stark and Rowlands (2003), it was confirmed that increase in mechanical properties was found to correspond with increase in aspect ratio of particles. Filler with higher aspect ratio has improved the stiffness and stress transfer of composites (Kim et al, 2015). Although the aspect ratio of wood-based particles is only about 1 -5, the properties of composite made out of these particles are sufficient for many uses (Clemons, 2008).…”