Nanocellulose: from natural cellulose to new high-end daily chemical materials

Under the industry trends of ' pure beauty ' and ' sustainable consumption ' , daily chemical formulas are gradually shifting from traditional materials such as synthetic thickeners, petrochemical emulsifiers, and plastic microbeads to natural, degradable functional raw materials. As a new bio-based nanomaterial made from natural cellulose, nanocellulose is becoming an important choice for formula upgrading due to its unique microstructure and comprehensive properties.

1. What is nanocellulose

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on earth and is widely found in plant cell walls, algae and some bacteria. Nanocellulose ( Nanocellulose ) refers to materials that process natural cellulose to the nanoscale (usually 1-100 nanometers) in at least one dimension through physical, chemical or biological methods .

It not only retains the basic characteristics of cellulose, which is natural, safe, and completely degradable, but also has the unique high specific surface area, high mechanical strength, good rheological control ability and biocompatibility of nanomaterials. Research data shows that its tensile modulus can reach 130-145 GPa , and its specific strength is close to steel. Therefore, it is often called ' steel from plants ' in the industry.。

2. Three major types: CNF 、CNC and BNC

According to the source and preparation method, nanocellulose is mainly divided into three categories, each of which has its own emphasis on structure and performance.

(1) Cellulose nanofibrils ( CNF )

It is made from wood, bamboo, straw and other plant fibers as raw materials, through chemical pretreatment and mechanical nanonization. CNF is a flexible long fiber with a width of about 20-100 nanometers and a length of several microns. It can be interwoven into a three-dimensional network and has the capabilities of thickening, suspension, film formation and rheology control. It is the most widely used functional substrate in daily chemical formulations.

(2) Cellulose nanocrystals ( CNC )

It is produced by acid hydrolysis to remove the amorphous region and retain the crystalline region. It is rod-shaped or needle-shaped, with a diameter of about 5-70 nanometers, high crystallinity and a large aspect ratio. Its mechanical properties and optical structural color are outstanding, and it is mostly used in cosmetics innovation and active ingredient carriers.

(3) Bacterial Nanocellulose ( BNC )

It is synthesized by fermentation of specific microorganisms to form a dense three-dimensional network with a diameter of about 20-100 nanometers. It has high purity, strong water-holding capacity, and excellent biocompatibility. It is often used in high-end repair facial masks and other products.

Generally speaking, CNF focuses on the functional realization of general formulas, CNC focuses on appearance performance and carrier innovation, and BNC focuses on high-purity repair scenarios. The three can be selected based on product positioning.

3. Core performance and mechanism of action

(1) Thickening and suspension

CNF can build a three-dimensional network at a low addition amount, increase the viscosity of the system, and suspend insoluble components such as pearlescent agents, essential oil microcapsules, and plant particles, reducing sedimentation and stratification during storage.

(2) Rheology control

When the system rests, it forms a relatively stable network structure. When subjected to shear, the viscosity decreases, and the application is smooth and non-sticky, achieving a balance between stability and skin feel during use.

(3) Emulsification stability

Nanofibers can physically wrap oil droplets to form a Pickering emulsification system, which to a certain extent helps reduce the amount of traditional emulsifiers and makes the formula more streamlined.

(4) Film formation and moisturizing

Nanofibers can form a breathable microfilm on the surface of the skin to help lock in moisture and reduce water loss. They can also be used to improve the film formation and water resistance of makeup setting, sunscreen and other products.

(5) Carrier and sustained release

After modification, a porous structure can be prepared to absorb and slowly release active ingredients, improving the stability of easily deactivated ingredients during storage and use.

4. Typical applications in the field of daily chemicals

(1) Skin care

It is used in systems such as essences, gels, lotions, and creams to provide thickening, suspension, and emulsification stability; BNC can be used in repair products such as patch masks and liquid masks.

(2) Washing and cleaning

Suspend pearlescent tablets, essential oil capsules and other components in shampoos and shower gels to improve system stability and skin feel; assist in absorbing dirt and excess oil in cleansers and makeup removers.

(3) Makeup

The structural color of CNC can be used for environmentally friendly pearlescent and glitter, replacing some plastic pearlescent powder; it can also be used for powder dispersion, makeup setting and film formation.

(4) Sun protection

Helps disperse physical sunscreen powder, reduces agglomeration and false whitening, and improves waterproof, sweat-resistant and moisturizing properties.

(5) Other segmented scenarios

There are also corresponding application explorations in scenarios such as oral care, infant care, hair removal and repair.

5. Key points of industrialization and selection

The industrial value of nanocellulose depends not only on material performance, but also on whether it can be supplied stably and adapted to actual formulations. When making actual selection, you can focus on the following aspects.

First, purity and impurity control, focusing on whether the material is well compatible with surfactants, salt ions, and acid-base systems.

Second, particle size and dispersion consistency prevent batch fluctuations from affecting product stability and appearance.

Third, the adding amount and formula cost are used to confirm whether the target effect can be achieved at a lower adding amount.

Fourth, safety and compliance, confirm whether it has passed relevant tests such as skin irritation, toxicology and microbiology.

As the preparation process gradually matures and costs continue to decrease, the application scope of nanocellulose in the field of daily chemicals is expected to be further expanded.

6. Conclusion

Nanocellulose, with its natural origin, biodegradability and multi-functional characteristics, provides a path for daily chemical formulations that balances performance and sustainability. For brands, it is more important to understand their classification and mechanism of action, and to rationally select products based on their own formula systems, rather than simply chasing concepts.

Nanjing Tianlu Nano Technology Co., Ltd. has long been engaged in the research and development and application development of nanocellulose, and can provide relevant materials and formula adaptation support to daily chemical customers.