Nanocellulose-Based Polymer Nanocomposites: An Introduction

Rising environmental awareness and the high demand for alternatives to non-renewable petroleum resources has led to extensive research focused on the concept of biomass-based biorenewable materials. Natural cellulosic polymers are such materials of prime choice for different applications due to their inherent advantages which include the fact that they are easily available, environmentally-friendly and have lower health risks; and also that they are economical, biodegradable, easily processed, have acceptable specific properties and have excellent insulating/ noise absorption properties to name a few. These cellulosic materials in nano form, i.e., as nanocellulose, are rapidly emerging as one of the most promising future materials with outstanding physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties for multifunctional applications in different fields. Keeping in mind the promising characteristics of nanocellulosic materials, the present chapter gives an overview of the recent progress in the structure and applications of nanocellulose procured from different resources.