Surface Chemistry of Nanocellulose

Nanocelluloses, including cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibrils, and bacterial cellulose, have become fascinating building blocks for the design of new biomaterials. With the presence of a large number of chemical functionalities, mainly hydroxyl groups, within the structure of nanocellulose these novel nanoparticles provide a unique platform for significant surface modification with the purpose of changing surface properties. In addition, surface modification can introduce the functional groups of molecules on the surface of nanocellulose contributing to the specific properties, further extending their use in highly sophisticated applications. More and more studies have led to the emergence of special applications of CNCs with diverse potential as advanced functional nanomaterials, which are closely associated with their modification using common derivatization or polymer grafting through the introduction of advanced functional groups or molecules. With diverse hydrolyzing agents, CNCs possessing different surface groups and surface chemistry can be prepared.