action of any extrinsic factors. NC’s use has been documented to improve the
mechanical, flexural, and rheological properties of cement (Sun et al. 2016), thereby
attesting the prospects of nanocellulosic materials in cement-related drilling
applications.
6 Challenges, Future-Direction of Research,
and Concluding Remarks
Among others, the following hallmarks with respect to cellulosic nanomaterials
merit special mention:
a) Greater sustainability and environmental friendly attribute of NC in contrast to
petro-based polymers and other materials used for environmental applications
b) Lower carbon footprint associated with their production in comparison to
activated carbon (used widely for bioremediation purposes), produced via
thermal strategies
c) Large surface-area-to-volume ratio and quantum size consequences, offering a
wide scope for surface molecular engineering and augmenting the number of
effective adsorption sites
d) Feasibility to use in its pristine form and amenability for the fabrication of
various nanocomposites with advanced biophysicochemical features, including
desirable mechanical strength and dispersibility in water, providing avenues for
their use in diverse formats, including filtration membranes, adsorption platforms, flocculants, aerogels, sensors, catalysts, etc.
Pertinently, retrieval of more than 550 granted patents on cellulosic nanomaterials
in Google Patents database as well as projected turnover for ~700 million USD by
2024 attest to the escalating interest that NCs have garnered amidst the academic and
industrial fraternities (Mokhena and John 2020). Post perusal of the various literature
reports, cited in this chapter, one may easily perceive the immense prospects of NC
for environmental applications. As noted in the write-up, NCs could provide green
alternatives for addressing industrial dye- and metal-related pollution. Moreover,
CNs could serve as befitting materials for water treatment operations, in particular,
pertaining to catalysis for pollutant degradation as well as pathogenic microbial
disinfection. In this context, CNs could open new portals of devising apt stratagems
for addressing various environmental issues across multiple industries (e.g., pulp and
paper, leather tanning, textile, fertilizer, paints etc.). Furthermore, there lies the scope
for developing NC-based green energy technology.
At this juncture, it is prudent to mention, however, that the cost of production of
NC might be an issue to ponder on. In fact, highly purified CNCs may cost around
USD 10–25 per kg (Mohammed et al. 2018). Nevertheless, commercial large-scale
production may be envisaged to cut the costs, and moreover, low-purity CNCs could
be effectively employed for wastewater treatment protocols. On the other hand, not
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E. M. Abda and R. Konwarh
mechanical, flexural, and rheological properties of cement (Sun et al. 2016), thereby
attesting the prospects of nanocellulosic materials in cement-related drilling
applications.
6 Challenges, Future-Direction of Research,
and Concluding Remarks
Among others, the following hallmarks with respect to cellulosic nanomaterials
merit special mention:
a) Greater sustainability and environmental friendly attribute of NC in contrast to
petro-based polymers and other materials used for environmental applications
b) Lower carbon footprint associated with their production in comparison to
activated carbon (used widely for bioremediation purposes), produced via
thermal strategies
c) Large surface-area-to-volume ratio and quantum size consequences, offering a
wide scope for surface molecular engineering and augmenting the number of
effective adsorption sites
d) Feasibility to use in its pristine form and amenability for the fabrication of
various nanocomposites with advanced biophysicochemical features, including
desirable mechanical strength and dispersibility in water, providing avenues for
their use in diverse formats, including filtration membranes, adsorption platforms, flocculants, aerogels, sensors, catalysts, etc.
Pertinently, retrieval of more than 550 granted patents on cellulosic nanomaterials
in Google Patents database as well as projected turnover for ~700 million USD by
2024 attest to the escalating interest that NCs have garnered amidst the academic and
industrial fraternities (Mokhena and John 2020). Post perusal of the various literature
reports, cited in this chapter, one may easily perceive the immense prospects of NC
for environmental applications. As noted in the write-up, NCs could provide green
alternatives for addressing industrial dye- and metal-related pollution. Moreover,
CNs could serve as befitting materials for water treatment operations, in particular,
pertaining to catalysis for pollutant degradation as well as pathogenic microbial
disinfection. In this context, CNs could open new portals of devising apt stratagems
for addressing various environmental issues across multiple industries (e.g., pulp and
paper, leather tanning, textile, fertilizer, paints etc.). Furthermore, there lies the scope
for developing NC-based green energy technology.
At this juncture, it is prudent to mention, however, that the cost of production of
NC might be an issue to ponder on. In fact, highly purified CNCs may cost around
USD 10–25 per kg (Mohammed et al. 2018). Nevertheless, commercial large-scale
production may be envisaged to cut the costs, and moreover, low-purity CNCs could
be effectively employed for wastewater treatment protocols. On the other hand, not
84
E. M. Abda and R. Konwarh