Gels, Aerogels and Hydrogels: A Challenge for the Cellulose-Based Product Industries
Bogdan-Marian Tofanica,
Dan Belosinschi,
Irina Volf
Affiliations
Bogdan-Marian Tofanica
Laboratory for Complex and Integrated Processing of Biomass Resources, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73, Prof. Dr. Docent D. Mangeron Boulevard, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Dan Belosinschi
Département de Chimie-Biologie/Biologie Medicale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada
Irina Volf
Laboratory for Complex and Integrated Processing of Biomass Resources, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73, Prof. Dr. Docent D. Mangeron Boulevard, 700050 Iasi, Romania
During recent decades, the interest in renewable, biodegradable, non-fossil materials has been exponentially increasing. Thus, cellulose and cellulose-derived products have been extensively considered for a wide variety of new potential uses. Due to the sustainability of cellulosic raw materials and their excellent properties, the use and modification of cellulose-based materials can be versatile in the material science and technology community. In this featured article, the fundamentals and background of cellulose-based gels are presented, and approaches, prospects and developments in the field, including their potential future applications, are discussed.
