Developing fibrillated cellulose as a sustainable technological material

Tian Li, Chaoji Chen, Alexandra H. Brozena, J. Y. Zhu, Lixian Xu, Carlos Driemeier, Jiaqi Dai, Orlando J. Rojas, Akira Isogai, Lars Wågberg and Liangbing Hu ()
Additional contact information
Tian Li: University of Maryland
Chaoji Chen: University of Maryland
Alexandra H. Brozena: University of Maryland
J. Y. Zhu: USDA Forest Products Laboratory
Lixian Xu: Sappi Biotech
Carlos Driemeier: Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)
Jiaqi Dai: Inventwood LLC
Orlando J. Rojas: The University of British Columbia
Akira Isogai: The University of Tokyo
Lars Wågberg: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Liangbing Hu: University of Maryland

Nature, 2021, vol. 590, issue 7844, 47-56

Abstract: Abstract Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, found in trees, waste from agricultural crops and other biomass. The fibres that comprise cellulose can be broken down into building blocks, known as fibrillated cellulose, of varying, controllable dimensions that extend to the nanoscale. Fibrillated cellulose is harvested from renewable resources, so its sustainability potential combined with its other functional properties (mechanical, optical, thermal and fluidic, for example) gives this nanomaterial unique technological appeal. Here we explore the use of fibrillated cellulose in the fabrication of materials ranging from composites and macrofibres, to thin films, porous membranes and gels. We discuss research directions for the practical exploitation of these structures and the remaining challenges to overcome before fibrillated cellulose materials can reach their full potential. Finally, we highlight some key issues towards successful manufacturing scale-up of this family of materials.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-03167-7

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