Nanotechnology and the Futurist Green Polymer, Nanocellulose

The nanotechnology that produced innovative changes in many industries has been getting attention in the forest products industry as well. Especially, the increase in multidisciplinary studies motivated researchers to work and study on new-generation nanocomposites and biocomposites that will be a strong alternative to traditional materials with the value-added properties. The cellulose, a crucial component of the trees, is made of small blocks. These blocks which are called nanocellulose contain fibrils and particles. Nanocelluloses are green polymers that have received considerable attention in materials science, engineering research, and research & product development fields in the industry. Nanocellulose is a bio-nano polymer that is widely used as reinforcing materials and added to polymer matrices to create innovative nanocomposites for use in many industries. Today, nanocellulose materials have been used in automotive, packaging, pharmaceutical, insulation and construction industries. The enhancements in the nanocellulose manufacturing processes, the increase in the number of global producers, and the increased demand for green and eco-friendly materials have made the nanocellulose more attractive for the industry and the institutions. In this study, a concise, critical state-of-the-art review on nanocellulose materials, manufacturing technologies, global producers and their current and future applications were studied and reported