“…45 It was reported that CNC dispersions produced by sulfuric acid treatment form a lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) phase, which was later identified as a chiral nematic phase in aqueous dispersions. 44,46,47 Cellulose and its derivatives', specifically CNCs, mechanical properties improve stiffness and strength of polymer composites promoting the creation of novel polymer nanocomposites and lubricants 48,49 or improving shape memory effects of polymer matrices. 50 In addition to synthetic polymers, chemically modified cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose have been used as additives for functional biomaterials to create films, membranes, electrospun into nanofibers 51 as well as formed into aerogel films, 52 hydrogels, 53 and three-dimensional porous foams.…”