Material functionalization and its expanding bioscientific perspective for structural polysaccharides via nanoscopic multicomposition, orientation control, and processing development

Abstract

This review surveys recent advances in the material functionalization of structural polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin. This functionalization includes improving their mechanical properties, subtly regulating optical performance, developing cytocompatibility, etc., and has been accomplished through nanoarchitectonic methods such as the orientation control of segments and molecules and the intimate nanoscopic mixing of different components, each on a scale larger than a single molecule. It is hoped that this fundamental data will lead to further functionalization of biomass-based materials, thereby expanding their bioscientific perspective.