Exploring the Modification of Nanocellulose: Strategies for Enhancing Properties and Expanding Applications
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecular Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 54
Special Issue Editors
Interests: plant biopolymers; cellulose; lignin; computational; biophysics; bio-derived materials; machine-learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: synthetic and bio-based polymers; nanocomposites; molecular dynamics; simulations; computational biophysics; biomolecular drug discovery
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
As the world shifts towards the use of more sustainable raw materials for chemicals and polymers, there is a growing need to identify abundant and renewable bio-based polymeric feedstocks. One such feedstock is cellulose, one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth. Cellulose nanofibers, with cross-sections ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers and lengths in the order of micrometers, have been derived from these bundles. This is mostly achieved by employing chemical and/or enzymatic pretreatments and mechanical shearing. Cellulose nanocrystals also represent another morphology. These are designed to display smaller aspect ratios through chemical hydrolysis of these bundles. Together, these nanoscale morphologies are referred to as nanocellulose. Nanocellulose is recognized for its potential as a strengthening agent in polymer composites due to its excellent mechanical properties. However, challenges with its processability and interfacial compatibility with common polymer matrices often lead to high production costs, hindering its adoption. To overcome these challenges and accelerate the adoption of nanocellulose in common usage, research exploring novel approaches to enhance its distinct properties, compatibility with other polymers, and/or identifying new applications is necessary.
The aim of this Special Issue of Molecules is to showcase recent efforts to improve nanocellulose adoption through molecular-scale modifications. By providing a platform for researchers to share their latest work on nanocellulose modifications, we seek to help the research community identify unique upgrading approaches and novel applications.
This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Nanocellulose-polymer composites (thermoset/thermoplastic).
- TEMPO-cellulose and other functionalization approaches (esterification, etherification, acetylation).
- Cellulose surface modification via small-molecule/polymer grafting.
- Molecular modelling of nanocellulose and nanocellulose composites.
- Cellulose hornification (improved solvent-processing and drying strategies).
- Novel applications of nanocellulosic materials. These may include (but are not limited to) membranes, electronics, and biosensors.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Micholas D. Smith
Guest Editor
Dr. Shalini Jayaraman Rukmani
Guest Editor Assistant
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Keywords
- nanocellulose
- cellulose-polymer composites
- cellulose nanofibers (CNFs)
- cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs)
- cellulose processing
- nanocellulose functionalization
- TEMPO cellulose
- surface modification
- grafting
- nanocellulose biosensors
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