(327g) Sustainable Preparation and Multifunctional Applications of Nanocellulose

The increasing environmental and sustainability concerns arising from fossil-based products and their associated hazardous industrial wastes have prompted an urgent exploration of alternatives. Lignocellulosic biomass, being the most abundant sustainable carbon source on the planet, has been considered a promising alternative to fossil resources due to its vast stock and renewability. The rapid development of nanotechnology has further propelled the interest in the preparation of cellulose nanomaterials, also known as nanocelluloses (NCs), derived from lignocellulosic biomass, owing to their superior physical and chemical properties. However, conventional methods (e.g., inorganic acid hydrolysis) for producing NCs encounter various limitations, including equipment corrosion, cellulose over-degradation, environmental pollution, and excessive water and energy consumption. To overcome these challenges, we have developed sustainable strategies based on organic acid hydrolysis for efficiently producing NCs from diverse lignocellulosic biomass such as bleached wood pulp, tobacco stalk, and corn husk. Furthermore, we have showcased the multifunctional applications of these NCs in various fields including food packaging, Pickering emulsions, EMI shielding, energy storage, and sensors. The long-term goal of our research is to valorize lignocellulosic biomass into value-added, high-end, and multifunctional products, aligning with the concept of “lignocellulose for circular bioeconomy”.