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.