With growing health, environmental, and ecological concerns associated with petroleum-based materials, the development of functional materials from plant sources, such as nanocellulose (NC), has become increasingly crucial. As a naturally derived polymer with nanoscale dimensions, nanocellulose is widely recognized for its sustainability, leading to its growing presence in the global market. The expanding demand for this material has amplified research into diverse applications of nanocellulose and its composites, especially in sectors like environmental science, energy, and biomedicine.
Nanocellulose and composite materials offer multiple outstanding structural and chemical features, such as biodegradability, renewability, fibrous structure, and structural integrity. Surface modification (for example, carboxylation, polymerization, sulfonation, and phosphorylation) and composite formation techniques are typically used to introduce charge, high strength and hydrophobicity on the nanocellulose fibers. These Nanocellulose-based composites have excellent strength, high Young’s modulus, biodegradability, and tunable self-assembly which make them a vital material for various applications, especially in the environmental field.
This Research Topic aims to explore advancements and challenges in the field of nanocellulose and its composites. Focus will be placed on overcoming current limitations such as mechanical properties, low strength and hydrophilicity through innovative composite solutions, involving materials like metal oxides and synthetic polymers. Addressing these challenges is essential for extending the applicability of nanocellulose in advanced technologies, thereby solidifying its role as an innovative green material in material science.
To encourage a comprehensive examination of nanocellulose, Original Research and Review articles are invited to advance the knowledge and application of nanocellulose in addressing urgent environmental challenges, highlighting its transformative impact on material science and sustainability, on the following aspects:
• Synthesis and characterization of nanocellulose through techniques such as Cryo-TEM, SEM, AFM, and solid-state NMR.
• Environmental applications of nanocellulose composites, including water and air purification.
• Development of nanocellulose-based composites with enhanced mechanical properties and functionality.
• The progress and potential of nanocellulose in ecological remediation efforts.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Brief Research Report
- Editorial
- FAIR² Data
- Methods
- Mini Review
- Original Research
- Perspective
- Review
- Technology and Code
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Keywords: Nanocellulose, Sustainability, Polymers, Environmental, Synthesis, composites, Water purification
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
