Recent Advances in Extraction, Characterization and Application of Cellulose Nanocrystals

Submission Deadline: 31 May 2026 View: 392 Submit to Special Issue

Guest Editors

Dr. Benchikh Lilia

Email: lilia.benchikh@gmail.com

Affiliation: Centre de recherche en technologies agroalimentaires

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Research Interests: cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose fibers, composites, biopolymers, polymers, nanomaterials, interfaces, cellulose characterization, mechanical characterization

Dr. IDRES Celia

Email: idres.celia@gmail.com

Affiliation: Centre de recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires

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Research Interests: Extraction and characterization of ligno-cellulosic fibers, Biocomposites design, Biopolymers, Surface treatments, Mechanical properties

Summary

In recent years, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), a renewable and sustainable nanomaterial, have emerged as a versatile and eco-friendly material due to their unique morphology, high crystallinity, large surface area, tailored surface chemistry, optical activity, and mechanical strength, all of which are rooted in fundamental nanoscience and sustainable applications.

More recently, cellulose nanocrystals derived from various cellulose sources—such as plants, agricultural residues, algae, and bacteria—have witnessed significant progress in isolation techniques, including optimized acid hydrolysis, mechanical extraction, eco-friendly extraction methods, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction. Moreover, extensive research on nanocellulose has revealed significant potential through structural understanding and surface modification (e.g., acetylation, esterification, polymer grafting, and sulfonation). These modification techniques have improved interfacial adhesion, increased compatibility with hydrophobic matrices, and broadened the range of potential applications to include chiral photonic materials, construction materials, automotive components, antifouling coatings, adsorbents, flocculants, and packaging materials. Additionally, the biocompatibility of CNCs enables their use in hydrogels, drug delivery systems, tissue scaffolds, and biosensors.

However, several challenges remain, including large-scale production, processability and dispersion, polymer compatibilization, and integration into functional devices and products.

This Special Issue aims to collect recent advances in the field of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and provide an interdisciplinary original research and comprehensive reviews that address fundamental understanding, novel processing methods, innovative characterization techniques, and diverse applications of CNCs.

Topics of interest include:
1. Isolation and sustainable extraction of cellulose nanocrystals.
2. Structural insights: morphology and crystallinity.
3. Advanced characterization methods.
4. Surface modification and functionalization of CNCs.
5. CNC-based nanocomposites and hybrid materials (polymer matrices, biopolymers, inorganic fillers).
6. CNCs for packaging, coatings and membranes.
7. Biomedical and pharmaceutical applications of CNCs (drug delivery, scaffolds, wound healing).
8. CNCs in energy storage, catalysis, and environmental remediation.
9. CNC-based hydrogels, aerogels, and foams.
10. Challenges in industrial scale-up and commercialization.

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Published Papers