Introduction
Cellulose is one of the most abundant organic compounds in the world, found in the cell walls of plants and some bacteria. The unique aspect of cellulose is its long and rigid molecular structure, which provides strength and stability to the plant's structure.
New advances in nanotechnology have allowed for the isolation, purification, and manipulation of cellulose fibers down to nanoscale dimensions, giving rise to "nanocellulose." This has opened up a new world of possibilities for the use of cellulose in various applications.
In this blog post, we will explore the similarities and differences between nanocellulose and natural cellulose, and the specific advantages and disadvantages of each.
Natural Cellulose
Natural cellulose refers to the cellulose fibers that are found in plants, which are essentially bundles of microscopic fibrils that give plant cells their strength and rigidity. Natural cellulose has been used for centuries in a variety of applications, including paper production, textiles, and construction materials.
One of the main strengths of natural cellulose is its abundance and low cost. It is estimated that every year, around 1.5 trillion metric tons of cellulose are produced by plants, making cellulose one of the most widely available organic compounds in the world [1].
However, there are some drawbacks to using natural cellulose. The extraction and processing of natural cellulose fibers can be energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. Additionally, natural cellulose fibers can be challenging to manipulate and modify for specific applications.
Nanocellulose
Nanocellulose, on the other hand, is a relatively new development in the field of cellulose research. It refers to cellulose fibers that have been broken down into nanoscale dimensions (typically between 5-100 nm in diameter) and then reassembled into different forms (e.g., films, gels, foams) [2]. Nanocellulose has a range of unique properties that make it an attractive option for various applications.
One major advantage of nanocellulose is its strength and durability. Because of its nanoscale dimensions, nanocellulose fibers have a large surface area relative to their volume, which makes them incredibly strong and resistant to breakage. Additionally, nanocellulose can be easily modified to enhance its properties, such as increasing its water resistance or improving its thermal stability.
Despite its many benefits, there are also a few drawbacks to using nanocellulose. For one, the production of nanocellulose can be costly and technically challenging. Additionally, there are concerns about the environmental impact of producing and disposing of nanocellulose materials, as the long-term effects are not yet fully understood.
Conclusion
While both natural cellulose and nanocellulose have their respective advantages and disadvantages, the introduction of nanotechnology has transformed the field of cellulose research. By breaking down cellulose fibers into nanoscale dimensions, researchers have been able to produce new materials with unprecedented strength and durability, as well as the ability to tailor specific properties to suit various applications.
As with any new technology, there are still many unknowns about the long-term consequences of nanocellulose production and usage. However, the promise of these versatile new materials makes them worth exploring further.
References
- Wang, C., & Zhang, L. (2020). Cellulose: The most abundant biopolymer on earth. Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology.
- Klemm, D., Kramer, F., Moritz, S., Lindström, T., Ankerfors, M., Gray, D., & Dorris, A. (2011). Nanocelluloses: A new family of nature-based materials. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 50(24), 5438-5466.