Chapter 4
Harnessing the Sustainable Bioresource,
Cellulose at the Nanoscale for Multifarious
Environmental Applications
Ebrahim M. Abda and Rocktotpal Konwarh
Abstract Recent years have stood in testimony to the tremendous research impetus
garnered by cellulosic nanomaterials, particularly in the realm of environmental
biotechnology. Renewability and eco-friendly attributes, complemented by outstanding biophysicochemical features, such as large surface area, lightweight, desirable tensile strength, and stiffness, besides surface tailorability, endow special niche
to cellulosic nanomaterials in the domain of material technology. The write-up in the
chapter gears off with au courant extraction (primarily derived from plants, bacteria,
algae, and tunicate) and fabrication approaches of cellulosic nanomaterials and
nanocomposites, respectively, vis-à-vis processing and surface modificationstructure-property perspective to produce cutting-edge materials with anticipated
properties and effectiveness. The content is then streamlined toward a comprehensive discussion on the latest advances and developments in the application of
cellulose-based nanomaterials/nanocomposites in the areas of wastewater treatment,
water and air purification, heavy metal mitigation, biosensing, carbon sequestration,
oil and gas field drilling, and so on. An attempt is also made to highlight the practical
snags and commercial prospects of resorting to cellulosic nanomaterials while
seeking sustainable environmental solutions.
Keywords Nanocellulose · Cellulose nanocrystal · Cellulose nanofiber · Water
treatment · Environmental applications
E. M. Abda (*)
Department of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
R. Konwarh
Department of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
Centre of Excellence- Nanotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. Aravind et al. (eds.), Strategies and Tools for Pollutant Mitigation,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63575-6_4
65
Harnessing the Sustainable Bioresource,
Cellulose at the Nanoscale for Multifarious
Environmental Applications
Ebrahim M. Abda and Rocktotpal Konwarh
Abstract Recent years have stood in testimony to the tremendous research impetus
garnered by cellulosic nanomaterials, particularly in the realm of environmental
biotechnology. Renewability and eco-friendly attributes, complemented by outstanding biophysicochemical features, such as large surface area, lightweight, desirable tensile strength, and stiffness, besides surface tailorability, endow special niche
to cellulosic nanomaterials in the domain of material technology. The write-up in the
chapter gears off with au courant extraction (primarily derived from plants, bacteria,
algae, and tunicate) and fabrication approaches of cellulosic nanomaterials and
nanocomposites, respectively, vis-à-vis processing and surface modificationstructure-property perspective to produce cutting-edge materials with anticipated
properties and effectiveness. The content is then streamlined toward a comprehensive discussion on the latest advances and developments in the application of
cellulose-based nanomaterials/nanocomposites in the areas of wastewater treatment,
water and air purification, heavy metal mitigation, biosensing, carbon sequestration,
oil and gas field drilling, and so on. An attempt is also made to highlight the practical
snags and commercial prospects of resorting to cellulosic nanomaterials while
seeking sustainable environmental solutions.
Keywords Nanocellulose · Cellulose nanocrystal · Cellulose nanofiber · Water
treatment · Environmental applications
E. M. Abda (*)
Department of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
R. Konwarh
Department of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
Centre of Excellence- Nanotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. Aravind et al. (eds.), Strategies and Tools for Pollutant Mitigation,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63575-6_4
65