Preparation of all-cellulose composite films via cellulose reinforcement at different nanoscale dimensions

Various cellulose materials have broad application prospects in various fields. However, the functionality of single-component cellulose is limited. When composited with functional particles, aggregation caused by interactions between the reinforcements and matrix leads to defects in the composite material. This study proposes a synergistic approach that combines intrinsic and extrinsic methods. This strategy fully leverages the fibrous and spherical morphologies of cellulose as well as its Type I and II crystalline structures. A class of single-component cellulose composites is prepared using a multiphase, multimorphology, and multiscale interfacial-engineering strategy. This strategy involves the synergistic interaction and restructuring of two distinct nano-units that differ in dimensionality and chemical properties. Each functional aspect of the cellulose types can serve as a “functional unit” or “structural regulator,” creating complementary enhancement effects. Compared with conventional and biodegradable plastics, these materials exhibit superior properties, such as enhanced soil degradability. These materials have emerged as promising candidates for applications in numerous fields.