Unveiling the potential of sub-nanometric cellulose in biomaterials
Leading the way in developing a new generation of nanocellulose for biomaterials
Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts
The field of biomaterials has been revolutionized by the introduction of sub-nanometric cellulose ribbons (CR) by a team of researchers at Nanjing Forestry University. This new form of nanocellulose, described in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, has unique properties that make it highly versatile for a range of applications, including drug release systems, wound dressings, and even 3D printing.
The concept of sub-nanometric materials (SNMs), which are materials at scales around one nanometer or smaller, has been gaining attention due to their enhanced interaction with external fields, leading to superior properties. While research on inorganic SNMs like graphene has been extensive, the study of organic SNMs has been lagging—until now.
The researchers, led by Shaomin Kang and Junlong Song, have successfully disintegrated cellulose along its hydrophilic planes while preserving the hydrophobic ones. The resulting molecularly thin cellulose ribbons have a height of 0.62 nm, corresponding to 1–2 cellulose chains, and a width of 7.64 nm, while retaining a length of the order of a micron. These dimensions give the material remarkable hydrophilicity and flexibility, properties that are highly desirable for certain biomaterials.
The new sub-nanometric cellulose ribbons have shown excellent potential in forming gel-like Pickering emulsions without crosslinking and are suitable for direct ink writing at ultra-low solids content. This makes them an extremely promising material for constructing new materials with desired structures, especially for biological-related applications such as bioactive scaffolds and biocomposites.
The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, showcasing the commitment to innovation in biomaterials.
See the article:
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2023.09.002
Original Source URL
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2369969823000567
Journal
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