Aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a linker for cellulose-based functional materials: New horizons and future challenges

Cellulose and cellulose derivatives represent one of the most abundant, in terms of quantity class of sustainable polymers that nature provides. The use of these polymers in a wide range of applications is well known for being used as such or by processing composite or functionalized materials. When it comes to functionalized cellulose, a small problem arises due to the limitation given by the limited reactivity of the hydroxyl groups present on the polymer chain. The present review aims to show a versatile method of functionalizing cellulose with aminopropyltriethoxysilane, the remaining amino group having a much higher reactivity and being much more versatile. Examples of the use of aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a linker for subsequent binding will be presented, as well as its direct applicability in various reactive separation processes.