This book is part of the Wiley Series in Renewable Resources. It is an excellent introduction for students, researchers, and newcomers in the field of cellulose material chemistry, properties, and applications as a renewable and green resource. The text introduces readers to the structure, extraction, properties, and applications of the different types of cellulosic nanomaterials processing techniques. The book thoroughly explains the distinct chemistry of cellulose, including the different extraction processing techniques. It provides researchers with comprehensive knowledge supported with illustrations and includes tables of useful materials properties, in particular, mechanical properties. The references are adequate and up to date, and the text is written from the combined perspective of physical chemistry and materials engineering.
The first chapter introduces the historical background of cellulose biopolymer and hierarchical materials as green nanostructured materials that can replace different types of toxic nanostructured materials. The second chapter deals with physical, chemical, anisotropic, and mechanical properties of cellulose fibers and their relationships with structure and morphology. Chapter 3 delves into the fundamentals of hydrolytic extraction of cellulose nanocrystals and their stability. It also introduces reaction kinetics, yield optimization, reproducibility, and different conditions of the extraction processes.
Chapter 4 details different characterization techniques, such as x-ray diffraction, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance of cellulose crystalline solids and the relationship between their properties and structure. The chapter also describes the effects of different conditions and/or parameters on the morphology and microstructure of cellulose nanocrystals, such as the effects of sonication, solution concentration, temperature, surface charge, and ionic strength of their suspensions. Chapter 5 covers the different applications of cellulose nanocrystals as a type of green reinforcement in compatible polymer matrix and other composite systems. The chapter also introduces different physical, chemical, and physiochemical methods of surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals to increase compatibility with the polymer matrix, depending on the polymer matrices to be used. The chapter includes comments on different modeling theories and factors affecting the mechanical properties of cellulose nanocrystals that reinforce different types of polymer nanocomposites. The book does not include problem sets or homework for students.
Compared to other books on the topic, this book is different in that it focuses on a new type of material dependent on the natural resources of cellulose nanofibers as a kind of green composite material. Overall, this book will serve as an important addition to the libraries of those interested in green composites and renewable resources, and will stimulate interest in a new generation of materials such as green composites and bioinorganic materials friendly to the environment.
Reviewer: Walid M. Daoush, Helwan University, Egypt.
