Advances in Nanocellulose-Enhanced Polymers and Composites: Structure, Performance, and Applications

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Special Issue 01 | Page : 1610 1623
    By

    Prasanthi Samathoti,

  • Sindhu Chenna,

  • Bhavani Mudamala,

  • Kalyani Chambeti,

  • Shweta Chandra,

  • Harish chakka,

  • Reddy Subramanya Busineni,

  • B. Anushna,

  1. Associate Professor, Department of pharmaceutics, Mohan Babu School of Pharmaceutical Science (Erstwhile Sree vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy), Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
  2. Student, Department of pharmaceutics, Mohan Babu School of Pharmaceutical Science (Erstwhile Sree vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy), Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
  3. Student, Department of pharmaceutics, Mohan Babu School of Pharmaceutical Science (Erstwhile Sree vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy), Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
  4. Student, Department of pharmaceutics, Mohan Babu School of Pharmaceutical Science (Erstwhile Sree vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy), Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
  5. Student, Department of pharmaceutics, Mohan Babu School of Pharmaceutical Science (Erstwhile Sree vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy), Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
  6. Student, Department of pharmaceutics, Mohan Babu School of Pharmaceutical Science (Erstwhile Sree vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy), Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
  7. Student, Department of pharmaceutics, Mohan Babu School of Pharmaceutical Science (Erstwhile Sree vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy), Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
  8. Student, Department of pharmaceutics, Mohan Babu School of Pharmaceutical Science (Erstwhile Sree vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy), Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The most common biopolymer is cellulose, which can be converted into nanocellulose (NC) the sustainable nanomaterial possessing the outstanding characteristic of biodegradability, renewability, low density, high aspect ratio, and excellent mechanical performance. Such distinctive features make NC a promising filler in polymer and composite systems. Recent developments in the preparation of nanocellulose using various natural and artificial sources have facilitated scalable production processes that have less energy requirements and are cost effective. The focus in this review is given on practical preparation methods of nanocellulose and how they affect structure property relationships when incorporated into polymer matrices. Several characterization methods, such as rheological behaviour, powder flow properties, and thermal analyses are presented in order to demonstrate their use in the evaluation of NC-based composites. Special attention is paid to the multifunctional use of polymer nanocellulose composites in the field of structural materials, barrier films, biomedical scaffolds, drug delivery systems, aerogels, wound healing, biosensing, and bioimaging. Comparing nanocellulose to neat polymers, representative studies demonstrate that it can improve biodegradation rates, decrease oxygen permeability by up to 80 times, and increase tensile strength by 20–300%. The extended applicability of nanocellulose shows the possibility of using the material as a sustainable reinforcement of the next generation, high-performance, and environmentally friendly polymer composites.

Keywords: Nanocellulose, Preparation methods, Characterization of nanocellulose, Applications Chemical treatment of cellulose, Acid hydrolysis .

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Prasanthi Samathoti, Sindhu Chenna, Bhavani Mudamala, Kalyani Chambeti, Shweta Chandra, Harish chakka, Reddy Subramanya Busineni, B. Anushna. Advances in Nanocellulose-Enhanced Polymers and Composites: Structure, Performance, and Applications. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1610-1623.
How to cite this URL:
Prasanthi Samathoti, Sindhu Chenna, Bhavani Mudamala, Kalyani Chambeti, Shweta Chandra, Harish chakka, Reddy Subramanya Busineni, B. Anushna. Advances in Nanocellulose-Enhanced Polymers and Composites: Structure, Performance, and Applications. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1610-1623. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=238089


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Special Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Special Issue 01
Received 19/09/2025
Accepted 22/10/2025
Published 10/03/2026
Publication Time 172 Days
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