A Review of Bio-based Nanocellulose Epoxy Composites

Plant fibers are the most widely focused materials these days to promote the utilization of natural and renewable biomaterials. Utilization of cellulosic-based nanomaterials derived from plant fibers finds a wide range of engineering applications. Due to the many appealing properties of nanocellulose-based composites, they have recently emerged as one of the most notable green materials. They have shown greater potential in various fields of advanced engineering such as biomedical, construction, and food packaging applications. Based on the analysis of the most recent investigations, new developments in the preparation, modification, and emerging applications of nanocellulose-based materials are described in this review. Since nanocellulose exists in several forms such as nanocrystalline cellulose, bacterial nanocellulose and nanofibrillated cellulose, they can render environmentally friendly bio nanocomposites with exceptionally good material properties. Accordingly, an overview of fundamental ideas in nanocellulose-based bio nanocomposites for environment-friendly applications is provided in this review. Overview of the derivatives of the nanocellulose with regards to their chemical structure, various methods of extracting nanocellulose from multiple sources, techniques for fabricating nanocellulose-based green composites, and the properties of nanocellulose-based composites are comprehensively discussed. Additionally, the novel and anticipated markets for nanocellulose products as well as the use of nanocellulose in nanocomposites in a variety of application industries are also highlighted. The LCA of nanocellulose composites at three stages including the assessment of NC sources, NC isolation techniques, and NC composite manufacturing is addressed, to promote the economy and sustainability aspects of the nanocellulose-based products. The issues, challenges, and opportunities of nanocellulose-based materials are also discussed at the end of the review. This review serves as a guide for materialists and researchers who are seeking a prospective and systematic review of nanocellulose and its derivative materials.