Next Article in Journal
Synergistic Effect of MWCNT and CB on the Piezoresistive Properties of Laser Ablation Composites Strain Sensors
Previous Article in Journal
Microwave Dielectric Permittivity of Nanostructured RMn2O5 Manganate, R2Ti2O7 Titanate, and LiCoPO4 and LiNi0.5Co0.5PO4 Orthophosphate Composites
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Nanomaterials
Volume 15
Issue 13
10.3390/nano15130996
nanomaterials-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

Biomimetic Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Hydrogels: Recent Progress in Surface Modification and Smart Soft Actuator Applications

by
Yuzhu Cui
,
Zekai Wang
,
Mingliang Zhao
,
Zhihui Wang
and
Lu Zong
*
Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, Ministry of Education/Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(13), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15130996 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 22 May 2025 / Revised: 19 June 2025 / Accepted: 25 June 2025 / Published: 26 June 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellulose Nanocrystals for Biomimetics, Energy, and Flexible Electronics Applications)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), derived from renewable biomass, have emerged as a pivotal component in the design of biomimetic composite hydrogels due to their exceptional mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and tunable surface chemistry. This review comprehensively explores recent advancements in surface modification strategies for CNCs (physical adsorption, chemical grafting, and bio-functionalization) and their impacts on the structure and properties of hydrogel networks, with particular emphasis on mechanical properties. Future applications in light/thermal/electrical-responsive soft actuators are critically analyzed. Guided by biomimetic design principles, the anisotropic mechanical responses induced by CNC-oriented alignment are explored, along with their cutting-edge advancements in soft robotics, wearable sensing, and biomedical devices. Perspectives are provided on future directions, including multi-stimuli synergistic actuation systems and sensing-actuation integration architectures. This work establishes a fundamental framework for designing CNC-enhanced smart hydrogels with tailored functionalities and hierarchical structures.
Keywords: cellulose nanocrystals; hydrogels; biomimetic; surface modification; soft actuator; mechanical properties cellulose nanocrystals; hydrogels; biomimetic; surface modification; soft actuator; mechanical properties
Graphical Abstract

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Cui, Y.; Wang, Z.; Zhao, M.; Wang, Z.; Zong, L. Biomimetic Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Hydrogels: Recent Progress in Surface Modification and Smart Soft Actuator Applications. Nanomaterials 2025, 15, 996. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15130996

AMA Style

Cui Y, Wang Z, Zhao M, Wang Z, Zong L. Biomimetic Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Hydrogels: Recent Progress in Surface Modification and Smart Soft Actuator Applications. Nanomaterials. 2025; 15(13):996. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15130996

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cui, Yuzhu, Zekai Wang, Mingliang Zhao, Zhihui Wang, and Lu Zong. 2025. "Biomimetic Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Hydrogels: Recent Progress in Surface Modification and Smart Soft Actuator Applications" Nanomaterials 15, no. 13: 996. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15130996

APA Style

Cui, Y., Wang, Z., Zhao, M., Wang, Z., & Zong, L. (2025). Biomimetic Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Hydrogels: Recent Progress in Surface Modification and Smart Soft Actuator Applications. Nanomaterials, 15(13), 996. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15130996

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop