Advances in Crystalline Nanocellulose and Its Derivatives for Sustainable Functional Materials
A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Organic Crystalline Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 7
Special Issue Editors
Interests: synthesis of new materials; material characterization; agroindustrial byproduct biotransformation; value-added materials
2. School of Engineering, Grupo de Investigación Sobre Nuevos Materiales, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1 No. 70-01, Medellín, Colombia
Interests: bacterial nanocellulose; composite biomaterials; biomedical applications of nanocellulose
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue of Crystals focuses on the structural, functional, and application-oriented aspects of crystalline nanocellulose and its derivatives, a range of bio-based, renewable nanomaterials with remarkable mechanical properties, high aspect ratio, surface modifiability, and inherent crystallinity. As the global shift toward sustainable materials and a circular economy accelerates, nanocellulose and its derivatives have emerged as key players in the development of next-generation materials and technologies across diverse sectors.
We invite contributions that explore the design, engineering, and utilization of crystalline nanocellulose and its derivatives in functional materials, green composites, membranes, packaging, energy devices, biomedical systems, catalysis, and beyond. Submissions that highlight structure–property relationships, processing methods, valorization of biomass, and recycling or end-of-life strategies are especially welcome.
This Special Issue aims to bridge fundamental crystallographic insights with real-world applications, promoting the use of nanocellulose and its derivatives in sustainable technologies and circular material systems.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Structure–function relationships in crystalline nanocellulose and its derivatives.
- Crystallinity and polymorphism of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and nanofibrils (CNFs).
- Applications in sustainable packaging, coatings, filtration, and electronics.
- Nanocellulose and its derivatives in circular economy frameworks (recyclability, biodegradability, and reuse).
- Composite and hybrid materials based on nanocellulose.
- Processing, self-assembly, and crystallization behavior.
- Functionalization and surface modification for targeted applications.
- Energy harvesting, storage, and environmental remediation using nanocellulose and its derivatives.
- Life cycle analysis (LCA) and techno-economic assessment of nanocellulose products.
Dr. Carlos Molina-Ramírez
Dr. Marlon Andrés Osorio-Delgado
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- crystalline nanocellulose
- cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs)
- cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs)
- circular economy
- sustainable materials
- nanocellulose applications
- bio-based composites
- structure–property relationships
- biodegradable materials
- functional nanomaterials
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