From biomass to breakthroughs: A review on the rise of nanocellulose in sustainable technologies

초록

The sustainable nature of nanocellulose's (NC's) source material, like wood pulp or agricultural waste, and its promising future uses in diverse fields as biomedical engineering, food packaging, environmental monitoring, and water treatment, have drawn the attention of many researchers. It is a promising candidate for biomedical uses, including tissue engineering and drug delivery, due to its durability, biocompatibility, and structural similarity to the extracellular matrix. These possible biomedical uses are not only remarkable but also promising, offering new opportunities for environmental and healthcare solutions. NC-based materials are emerging as potential candidates to be incorporated into wearable textiles and sensor devices due to their flexibility and light weight. The integrated strategy permits real-time health monitoring while reducing the carbon footprint of wearable electronics. The potential of NC for the water treatment industry is wide-ranging. The retention of pollutants in wastewater is still highly effective since NC has a large surface area, strong adhesive performance, as well as antibacterial characteristics. This not only contributes to the improvement of water resources but also ensures their cleanliness and safety. This review consolidates advancements reported between 2017 and 2025, detailing progress in biomedical applications, food and intelligent packaging solutions, smart sensing technologies, and water purification. The convergence of performance, adaptability, and sustainability highlights NC as a key enabler for next-generation, eco-conscious applications.

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