Lignin-containing cellulose nanomaterials: preparation and applications

Abstract

In the past few years, cellulose nanomaterials obtained from lignocellulose have attracted extensive attention as functional nanomaterials with excellent properties and great application potential in a variety of high-tech fields. However, the preparation of cellulose nanomaterials is facing several challenges such as the large amount of energy consumption, chemical recovery issues, and complicated purification and pretreatment processes, which have limited their large-scale application. Fortunately, lignin-containing cellulose nanomaterials have emerged as a new type of cellulose nanomaterial because of the low energy and chemical consumption, easy preparation process, and special properties. This review showcases a comprehensive overview of research status on the preparation and application of lignin-containing cellulose nanomaterials, focusing on recently developed green and low-cost preparation processes. The potential applications of lignin-containing cellulose nanomaterials as building blocks and reinforcing agents for the design of various advanced materials are summarized as well. Finally, the current challenges and future directions for the preparation and application of lignin-containing cellulose nanomaterials are provided.