A Bioinspired Gradient Design Strategy for Cellulose-Based Electromagnetic Wave Absorbing Structural Materials.

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) possesses excellent intrinsic properties, and many CNF-based high-performance structural and functional materials have been developed recently. However, the coordination of the mechanical properties and functionality is still a considerable challenge. Here, a CNF-based structural material is developed by a bioinspired gradient structure design using hollow magnetite nanoparticles and the phosphorylation-modified CNF as building blocks, which simultaneously achieves a superior mechanical performance and electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) ability. Benefiting from the gradient design, the flexural strength of the structural material reached ∼205 MPa. Meanwhile, gradient design improves impedance matching, contributing to the high EMA ability (-59.5 dB) and wide effective absorption width (5.20 GHz). Besides, a low coefficient of thermal expansion and stable storage modulus was demonstrated as the temperature changes. The excellent mechanical, thermal, and EMA performance exhibited great potential for application in stealth equipment and electromagnetic interference protecting electronic packaging materials.

Tough and Moldable Sustainable Cellulose-Based Structural Materials via Multiscale Interface Engineering.

All-natural materials derived from cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are expected to be used to replace engineering plastics and have attracted much attention. However, the lack of crack extension resistance and 3D formability of nanofiber-based structural materials hinders their practical applications. Here, a multiscale interface engineering strategy is reported to construct high-performance cellulose-based materials. The sisal microfibers are surface treated to expose abundant active CNFs with positive charges, thereby enhancing their interfacial combination with the negatively charged CNFs. The robust multiscale dual network enables easy molding of multiscale cellulose-based structural materials into complex 3D special-shaped structures, resulting in nearly twofold and fivefold improvements in toughness and impact resistance compared with those of CNFs-based materials. Moreover, this multiscale interface engineering strategy endows cellulose-based structural materials with better comprehensive performance than petrochemical-based plastics and broadens cellulose's potential for lightweight applications as structural materials with lower environmental effects.

Nacre-Inspired Bacterial Cellulose/Mica Nanopaper with Excellent Mechanical and Electrical Insulating Properties by Biosynthesis.

The exploration of extreme environments has become necessary for understanding and changing nature. However, the development of functional materials suitable for extreme conditions is still insufficient. Herein, a kind of nacre-inspired bacterial cellulose (BC)/synthetic mica (S-Mica) nanopaper with excellent mechanical and electrical insulating properties that has excellent tolerance to extreme conditions is reported. Benefited from the nacre-inspired structure and the 3D network of BC, the nanopaper exhibits excellent mechanical properties, including high tensile strength (375 MPa), outstanding foldability, and bending fatigue resistance. In addition, S-Mica arranged in layers endows the nanopaper with remarkable dielectric strength (145.7 kV mm-1 ) and ultralong corona resistance life. Moreover, the nanopaper is highly resistant to alternating high and low temperatures, UV light, and atomic oxygen, making it an ideal candidate for extreme environment-resistant materials.

Ultrastrong, Thermally Stable, and Food-Safe Seaweed-Based Structural Material for Tableware.

Widely used disposable plastic tableware is usually buried or directly discharged into the natural environment after using, which poses potential threats to the natural environment and human health. To solve this problem, nondegradable plastic tableware needs to be replaced by tableware composed of biodegradable structural materials with both food safety and the excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Here, a food-safe sargassum cellulose nanofiber (SCNF) is extracted from common seaweed in an efficient and low energy consuming way under mild reaction conditions. Then, by assembling the SCNF into a dense bulk material, a strong sargassum cellulose nanofiber structural material (SCNSM) with high strength (283 MPa) and high thermal stability (>160 °C) can be prepared. The SCNSM also possesses good machinability, which can be processed into tableware with different shapes, e.g., knives and forks. The overall performance of the SCNSM-based tableware is better than commercial plastic, wood-based, and poly(lactic acid) tableware, which shows great application potential in the tableware field.

An All-Natural Wood-Inspired Aerogel.

The oriented pore structure of wood endows it with a variety of outstanding properties, among which the low thermal conductivity has attracted researchers to develop wood-like aerogels as excellent thermal insulation materials. However, the increasing demands of environmental protection have put forward new and strict requirements for the sustainability of aerogels. Here, we report an all-natural wood-inspired aerogel consisting of all-natural ingredients and develop a method to activate the surface-inert wood particles to construct the aerogel. The obtained wood-inspired aerogel has channel structure similar to that of natural wood, endowing it with superior thermal insulation properties to most existing commercial sponges. In addition, remarkable fire retardancy and complete biodegradability are integrated. With the above outstanding performances, this sustainable wood-inspired aerogel will be an ideal substitute for the existing commercial thermal insulation materials.

Plant Cellulose Nanofiber-Derived Structural Material with High-Density Reversible Interaction Networks for Plastic Substitute.

Ubiquitous petrochemical-based plastics pose a potential threat to ecosystems. In response, bioderived and degradable polymeric materials are being developed, but their mechanical and thermal properties cannot compete with those of existing petrochemical-based plastics, especially those used as structural materials. Herein, we report a biodegradable plant cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-derived polymeric structural material with high-density reversible interaction networks between nanofibers, exhibiting mechanical and thermal properties better than those of existing petrochemical-based plastics. This all-green material has substantially improved flexural strength (∼300 MPa) and modulus (∼16 GPa) compared with those of existing petrochemical-based plastics. Its average thermal expansion coefficient is only 7 × 10-6 K-1, which is more than 10 times lower than those of petrochemical-based plastics, indicating its dimension is almost unchanged when heated, and thus, it has a thermal dimensional stability that is better than those of plastics. As a fully bioderived and degradable material, the all-green material offers a more sustainable high-performance alternative to petrochemical-based plastics.

Regenerated isotropic wood.

Construction of sustainable high-performance structural materials is a core part of the key global sustainability goal. Many efforts have been made in this field; however, challenges remain in terms of lowering costs by using all-green basic building blocks and improving mechanical properties to meet the demand of practical applications. Here, we report a robust and efficient bottom-up strategy with micro/nanoscale structure design to regenerate an isotropic wood from natural wood particles as a high-performance sustainable structural material. Regenerated isotropic wood (RGI-wood) exceeds the limitations of the anisotropic and inconsistent mechanical properties of natural wood, having isotropic flexural strength of ∼170 MPa and flexural modulus of ∼10 GPa. RGI-wood also shows superior water resistance and fire retardancy properties to natural pine wood. Mass production of large sized RGI-wood and functional RGI-wood nanocomposites can also be achieved.

Sustainable Cellulose-Nanofiber-Based Hydrogels.

Hydrogel materials have many excellent properties and a wide range of applications. Recently, a new type of hydrogel has emerged: cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based hydrogels, which have three-dimensional nanofiber networks and unique physical properties. Because CNFs are abundant, renewable, and biodegradable, they are green and eco-friendly nanoscale building blocks. In addition, CNF-based hydrogel materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties and designable functions by different preparation methods and structure designs, demonstrating huge development potential. In this Perspective, we summarize the recent progress in the development of CNF-based hydrogels and introduce their applications in elastic hydrogels, ionic conduction, water purification, and biomedicine, highlighting future trends and opportunities for the further development of CNF-based hydrogels as emerging materials systems.

Sustainable Double-Network Structural Materials for Electromagnetic Shielding.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with excellent EMI shielding efficiency (SE), lightweight property, and superb mechanical performance are vitally important for modern society, but it is still a challenge to realize these performances simultaneously on one material. Here, we report a sustainable bioinspired double-network structural material with excellent specific strength (146 MPa g-1 cm3) and remarkable EMI SE (100 dB) from cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which demonstrates remarkable and outstanding performance to both typical metal materials and reported polymer composites. In particular, the bioinspired double-network structure design simultaneously achieves an extremely high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, which makes it a lightweight, high shielding efficiency, and sustainable structural material for real-life electromagnetic wave shielding applications.

Bio-Inspired Lotus-Fiber-like Spiral Hydrogel Bacterial Cellulose Fibers.

Hydrogel materials with high water content and good biocompatibility are drawing more and more attention now, especially for biomedical use. However, it still remains a challenge to construct hydrogel fibers with enough strength and toughness for practical applications. Herein, we report a bio-inspired lotus-fiber-mimetic spiral structure hydrogel bacterial cellulose fiber with high strength, high toughness, high stretchability, and energy dissipation, named biomimetic hydrogel fiber (BHF). The spiral-like structure endows BHF with excellent stretchability through plastic deformation and local failure, assisted by the breaking-reforming nature of the hydrogen bonding network among cellulose nanofibers. With the high strength, high stretchability, high energy dissipation, high hydrophilicity, porous structure, and excellent biocompatibility, BHF is a promising hydrogel fiber for biomedicine. The outstanding stretchability and energy dissipation of BHF allow it to absorb energy from the tissue deformation around a wound and effectively protect the wound from rupture, which makes BHF an ideal surgical suture.

Emerging Bioinspired Artificial Woods.

As an abundant natural resource, wood has gained great attention for thousands of years, spanning from the primitive construction materials to the modern high-added-value engineering materials. The unique delicate microstructures and the wonderful properties (e.g., low-density, high strength and stiffness, good toughness, and environmental sustainability) have made wood a natural source of inspiration that guides researchers to invent various wood-inspired materials. Herein, as an emerging material system, bioinspired artificial wood, with similar cellular structures and comparable mechanical properties, is discussed in the view of the design concept, fabrication strategy, properties, and possible applications. The present challenges and further research opportunities are also presented for artificial woods to thrive. To achieve the final eco-friendly artificial wood, more endeavors should be made in biomaterials and biodegradable or recyclable engineering of polymers to gain high mechanical properties and environmental sustainability simultaneously.

Strengthening and Toughening Hierarchical Nanocellulose via Humidity-Mediated Interface.

Undoubtedly humidity is a non-negligible and sensitive problem for cellulose, which is usually regarded as one disadvantage to cellulose-based materials because of the uncontrolled deformation and mechanical decline. But the lack of an in-depth understanding of the interfacial behavior of nanocellulose in particular makes it challenging to maintain anticipated performance for cellulose-based materials under varied relative humidity (RH). Starting from multiscale mechanics, we herein carry out first-principles calculations and large-scale molecular dynamics simulations to demonstrate the humidity-mediated interface in hierarchical cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and associated deformation modes. More intriguingly, the simulations and subsequent experiments reveal that water molecules (moisture) as the interfacial media can strengthen and toughen nanocellulose simultaneously within a suitable range of RH. From the perspective of interfacial design in materials, the anomalous mechanical behavior of nanocellulose with humidity-mediated interfaces indicates that flexible hydrogen bonds (HBs) play a pivotal role in the interfacial sliding. The difference between CNC-CNC HBs and CNC-water-CNC HBs triggers the humidity-mediated interfacial slipping in nanocellulose, resulting in the arising of a pronounced strain hardening stage and the suppression of strain localization during uniaxial tension. This inelastic deformation of nanocellulose with humidity-mediated interfaces is similar to the Velcro-like behavior of a wet wood cell wall. Our investigations give evidence that the humidity-mediated interface can promote the mechanical enhancement of nanocellulose, which would provide a promising strategy for the bottom-up design of cellulose-based materials with tailored mechanical properties.

An all-natural bioinspired structural material for plastic replacement.

Petroleum-based plastics are useful but they pose a great threat to the environment and human health. It is highly desirable yet challenging to develop sustainable structural materials with excellent mechanical and thermal properties for plastic replacement. Here, inspired by nacre's multiscale architecture, we report a simple and efficient so called "directional deforming assembly" method to manufacture high-performance structural materials with a unique combination of high strength (281 MPa), high toughness (11.5 MPa m1/2), high stiffness (20 GPa), low coefficient of thermal expansion (7 × 10-6 K-1) and good thermal stability. Based on all-natural raw materials (cellulose nanofiber and mica microplatelet), the bioinspired structural material possesses better mechanical and thermal properties than petroleum-based plastics, making it a high-performance and eco-friendly alternative structural material to substitute plastics.

Sustainable Wood-Based Hierarchical Solar Steam Generator: A Biomimetic Design with Reduced Vaporization Enthalpy of Water.

Water purification by solar distillation is considered a promising technology for producing clean water from undrinkable water resources. A solar steam generator is a central part of a solar distillation process to separate water and contaminants. Here, we report an efficient and sustainable hierarchical solar steam generator (HSSG) with reduced vaporization enthalpy based on bacterial cellulose (BC) nanocomposites. The nanomaterials are assembled with BC nanofibers produced by bacteria in situ to form nanocomposites. Using this method, we construct functional BC nanocomposites inside and on the natural porous structure of wood. Our HSSG integrates solar-to-vapor efficiency improvement and vaporization enthalpy reduction by integrating the hierarchical multifunctional BC nanocomposites with the natural porous structure of wood. Because of the biomimetic design, hierarchical structure and reduced vaporization enthalpy of HSSG, a high evaporation rate of 2.9 kg m-2 h-1 and solar-to-vapor efficiency of 80% is achieved.

Lightweight, tough, and sustainable cellulose nanofiber-derived bulk structural materials with low thermal expansion coefficient.

Sustainable structural materials with light weight, great thermal dimensional stability, and superb mechanical properties are vitally important for engineering application, but the intrinsic conflict among some material properties (e.g., strength and toughness) makes it challenging to realize these performance indexes at the same time under wide service conditions. Here, we report a robust and feasible strategy to process cellulose nanofiber (CNF) into a high-performance sustainable bulk structural material with low density, excellent strength and toughness, and great thermal dimensional stability. The obtained cellulose nanofiber plate (CNFP) has high specific strength [~198 MPa/(Mg m-3)], high specific impact toughness [~67 kJ m-2/(Mg m-3)], and low thermal expansion coefficient (<5 × 10-6 K-1), which shows distinct and superior properties to typical polymers, metals, and ceramics, making it a low-cost, high-performance, and environmental-friendly alternative for engineering requirement, especially for aerospace applications.

A general aerosol-assisted biosynthesis of functional bulk nanocomposites.

Although a variety of nanoparticles with better-than-bulk material performances can be synthesized, it remains a challenge to scale the extraordinary properties of individual nanoscale units to the macroscopic level for bulk nanostructured materials. Here, we report a general and scalable biosynthesis strategy that involves simultaneous growth of cellulose nanofibrils through microbial fermentation and co-deposition of various kinds of nanoscale building blocks (NBBs) through aerosol feeding on solid culture substrates. We employ this biosynthesis strategy to assemble a wide range of NBBs into cellulose nanofibril-based bulk nanocomposites. In particular, the biosynthesized carbon nanotubes/bacterial cellulose nanocomposites that consist of integrated 3D cellulose nanofibril networks simultaneously achieve an extremely high mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, and thus exhibit outstanding performance as high-strength lightweight electromagnetic interference shielding materials. The biosynthesis approach represents a general and efficient strategy for large-scale production of functional bulk nanocomposites with enhanced performances for practical applications. Industrial-scale production of these bulk nanocomposite materials for practical applications can be expected in the near future.