Emerging Biomedical Applications of Sustainable Cellulose Nanocrystal-Incorporated Hydrogels: A Scoping Review
Article
| Article Title | Emerging Biomedical Applications of Sustainable Cellulose Nanocrystal-Incorporated Hydrogels: A Scoping Review |
|---|---|
| Article Category | Article |
| Authors | Seneviratne, Dinuki M., Whiteside, Eliza J., Windus, Louisa C. E., Burey, Paulomi (Polly), Ward, Raelene and Annamalai, Pratheep K. |
| Journal Title | Gels |
| Journal Citation | 11 (9) |
| Article Number | 740 |
| Number of Pages | 27 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG |
| Place of Publication | Switzerland |
| ISSN | 2310-2861 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org//10.3390/gels11090740 |
| Web Address (URL) | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/9/740 |
| Abstract | Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), derived from renewable cellulose sources, have emerged as a versatile class of nanomaterial with exceptional mechanical strength, tuneable surface chemistry and inherent biocompatibility. In the scenario of contemporary commercial hydrogel products, which are expensive and rely on synthetic materials, the sustainable origin and unique physicochemical properties have positioned CNCs as promising sustainable functional building blocks for next-generation hydrogels in biomedical applications. Over the past decade, CNC-based hydrogels have gained momentum as soft biomaterials capable of interacting with diverse tissue types, predominantly demonstrated through in vitro cell line studies. This review critically examines the current landscape of research on biomedical applications of CNC-based hydrogels, focusing on their biomedical utility across 22 systematically screened studies. It revealed applications spanning around bone and cartilage tissue engineering, wound healing, medical implants and sensors, and drug delivery. We highlight the predominance of microcrystalline cellulose as the CNC source and sulfuric acid hydrolysis as the preferred extraction method, with several studies incorporating surface modifications to enhance functionality. Despite growing interest, there remains a lack of data for transitioning towards human clinical studies and commercialisation. Hence, this review highlights the pressing need for scalable, sustainable, and affordable CNC-based hydrogel systems that can democratise access to advanced biomedical technologies. |
| Keywords | cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs); CNC extraction; CNC sources; CNC modification; hydrogel; biomedical applications; biocompatibility |
| Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
| ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 400302. Biomaterials |
| 400399. Biomedical engineering not elsewhere classified | |
| 401807. Nanomaterials | |
| Byline Affiliations | Centre for Future Materials |
| School of Health and Medical Sciences | |
| University of Queensland | |
| School of Agriculture and Environmental Science | |
| Institute for Resilient Regions | |
| First Nations Strategy Engagement Team |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zzz66/emerging-biomedical-applications-of-sustainable-cellulose-nanocrystal-incorporated-hydrogels-a-scoping-review
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