Application Areas in the Preparation of Nanocellulose

Nanocellulose has a wide range of applications in its preparation, mainly including the following areas:

Biomedicine: Nanocellulose fibers possess excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high surface activity, making them widely used in the biomedical field. They can be used in the preparation of medical materials such as artificial blood vessels, tissue repair and regeneration scaffolds, and can also serve as drug delivery carriers, controlling drug release rates and improving therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, nanocellulose fibers, after modification with fluorescent dyes, can be used for cell imaging and diagnostics.

Food Safety: In food processing, nanocellulose fibers are used to prepare food preservation films, antibacterial packaging materials, clarifiers for alcoholic beverages, and clouding agents for juices. The food preservation films made from nanocellulose fibers have good air permeability, moisture retention, and antibacterial properties, effectively extending the shelf life of food products.

Environmental Protection: Nanocellulose also plays an important role in environmental protection. Due to its high specific surface area and adsorption capabilities, nanocellulose can be used to prepare efficient adsorbents, such as adsorbents for wastewater treatment and filtering materials for air purifiers. Moreover, nanocellulose can be used to create biomass-based composite materials that help reduce pollutant emissions.

Automotive Lightweighting: Nanocellulose contributes significantly to automotive lightweighting. Research in Japan is focused on using nanocellulose-based bioplastics and lightweight high-strength materials to significantly reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency. For example, race cars made with cellulose nanofiber composites can reduce weight by about 49%.

Papermaking: Nanocellulose has proven to be an important reinforcement material that can reduce the weight of paper while improving its quality. Paper with added nanocellulose can be produced with reduced basis weight without compromising strength, thereby saving large forest resources.

Filtration Materials: Nanofibers have extremely high specific surface area and porosity, making them ideal for filtration materials. In air purification and water treatment fields, nanofiber-based systems can produce high-performance filter membranes that effectively remove particulate matter from air and pollutants from water.

Energy: Nanofibers are used in energy applications such as battery separators and fuel cell electrode materials. Separator materials made from nanofibers have excellent ion conductivity and mechanical strength, helping to enhance battery performance and safety.

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Nanocellulose is used in cosmetics and personal care products due to its excellent water retention capacity and ability to improve rheological properties. The products are natural and non-irritating.