Insight into cellulose-based-nanomaterials - A pursuit of environmental remedies.

ABSTRACT

Nature has given several unique features to one of the most abundant and inexhaustible biopolymers on the earth, i.e., cellulose. Besides, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness, cellulose possesses attractive properties such as the ability to undergo chemical and structural modification, plus its light weight and thermal and mechanical stability. Cellulose originates from natural sources, including being significant components of plants (ca. 33%), wood (ca. 50%), and cotton (ca. 90%). It can also be synthesized and modified further into a variety of functionalized nanomaterials for diversified sectors, such as bio-medical, food, customer care, and environmental services. Considering the significant growth in product development and interdisciplinary cellulose-based research, the proposed chapter will let the reader gain knowledge about in-vitro extraction, synthesis of nanomaterials, and applications to resolve ongoing environmental challenges.