Preparation of nanocellulose and its potential in reinforced composites: A review

J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2019 Aug;30(11):919-946. doi: 10.1080/09205063.2019.1612726. Epub 2019 May 24.

Abstract

Cellulose is a kind of natural polymer material, which is composed of bundle-like fibrils. By peeling the fibrils layer by layer, the size of cellulose can be nanocrystallized, and nanofibers and nanocrystals with unique and potentially useful features can be prepared. As an emerging functional polymer material, nanocellulose has become a research hotspot in the field of technology. This review discusses the preparation of nanocellulose, including the commonly used hydrolysis, oxidation, physical and environmentally friendly ionic liquid methods. The advantages and disadvantages of different methods are also compared. And the review introduced the application of nanofiberized cellulose and nanocellulose crystals in the fields of thermosetting and thermoplastics, such as polylactic acid, polypropylene, epoxy resin and so on. The critical factors in the manufacturing of nanocellulose composites and mechanical properties are discussed to provide a reference for the further application and development of nanocellulose.

Keywords: application; nanocellulose; preparation; reinforced composite.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cellulose / chemistry*
  • Epoxy Resins / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Ionic Liquids / chemistry
  • Mechanical Phenomena
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Polypropylenes / chemistry
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Epoxy Resins
  • Ionic Liquids
  • Polyesters
  • Polypropylenes
  • poly(lactide)
  • Cellulose