Review of the recent developments in all-cellulose nanocomposites: Properties and applications

Cellulose, the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth, has a number of desirable properties, including availability, biodegradability, low cost, and low toxicity and has been used in a variety of applications. Recently, all cellulose composite materials have been made from a wide variety of cellulose sources, including wood and agricultural wastes, via impregnation or partial surface dissolution approaches utilizing a specific solvent. Due to the improved interfacial interactions between the cellulose matrix and cellulose reinforcement, all-cellulose composites exhibit superior mechanical properties when compared to biopolymers and petroleum-based polymers. The current article discusses the factors affecting the mechanical properties and interfacial bonding of all cellulose composites. Additionally, the incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles is described to enhance the multi-functional properties of all-cellulose composites, such as their conductivity, permeability, and adsorption. Furthermore, this review summarizes the potential applications of all-cellulose composites in the following areas: composites, packaging, aerogels, hydrogels, fibers, tissue engineering, membranes, textiles, and coatings.

Automated summary

Cellulose, the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth, has desirable properties and is widely used in various applications. All-cellulose composites exhibit superior mechanical properties and can be enhanced with the incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles. There is potential for applications in various fields.