Cellulose nanocrystals and related nanocomposites: Review of some properties and challenges

ABSTRACT Cellulosic nanoparticles with high Young's modulus, crystallinity, specific surface area, and aspect ratio can be found in the natural structure of plant fibers. Indeed, lignocellulosic fibers consist of semicrystalline cellulose nanofibrils embedded in an amorphous matrix mainly composed of lignin and hemicelluloses. These nanostructures give the mechanical strength to higher plant cells, and are biodegradable, renewable, resistant, and widely available to produce nanocomposites with low density, and improved and controlled mechanical, optical, and barrier properties. Nanoparticles can be extracted from cellulose using a top‐down mechanically or chemically assisted deconstructing strategy, and owing…

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  Ciência sem Fronteiras