Nanostructured Cellulose: Extraction and Characterization

Due to the growing environmental issues brought on by the extensive collection of plastic trash and the continuing depletion of fossil fuel supplies, there has been a lot of focus on the design and development of renewable bio-based plastics, particularly those with inherent biodegradability. Therefore, there is growing interest in the creation of biodegradable and renewable materials due to the urgent need for sustainability and environmental preservation. In this regard, one of the most important natural polymers on the planet, cellulose, is getting more attention as nanocellulose (NC), which is regarded as an innovative and significant substance in the biomedical area. Nanocellulose draws a lot of scientific interest due to its outstanding physicochemical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and great mechanical strength. Due to its various benefits, nanocellulose is frequently employed to create high-performance, environmentally friendly materials for use in the engineering and biomedical areas. Nanocellulose, a naturally occurring nanomaterial, can be obtained from sources such as plant cell walls, using a combination of mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic processes. This chapter describes the existing extraction methods and characterization techniques of nanostructured cellulose from various sources. The extraction of NC from a wide range of plant materials, including rice husk, pineapple, water hyanth, wheat straw bamboo, jute, algae, and tunicates has been explored. This chapter provides an overview about various types of nanocellulose and related classifications.