The 3rd International Symposium on Nanocellulosic Materials (3rd ISNCM)

Cellulose has been used as engineering materials for thousands of years and their use continues today as renewable building block for diverse functional membranes and hydrogels. In particular, nanocellulose obtained from low-cost and green solvents are seeking an ambitious revenge on petroleum polymers in many fields. Owing to its easily modifiable surface and designable functions, cellulose can be processed into gas barrier/separation membranes. A series of inorganic fillers such as graphene oxide, metal oxides, and metal organic frameworks can be integrated into the cellulose matrix via physical cross-linking or chemical assembly technologies to fabricate composite membranes with desirable H2 purification, greenhouse gas control and olefins/alkanes separation properties. The interlayer spacing, filler dispersion and gas transport channels within the membranes can be finely tuned by structure designing and interface engineering. 
Meanwhile, with the development of green cellulose dissolution solvents, cellulose emerges as a promising alternative material to construct high-performance hydrogels. Promoted by the inorganic salt system, flexible, anti-freezing and conductive cellulose hydrogels can be designed and prepared in a facile way. By retaining the metal salts in the hydrogel, this preparation approach realizes a perfect combination of cellulose dissolution and hydrogel fabrication process. Moreover, the zinc ions involved hydrogels can be further assembled into supercapacitors or batteries for electrochemical applications. In sum, cellulose hydrogels and membranes have excellent properties and can be given required functions through regulation and design. In this talk, I will share our latest work to develop cellulose hydrogels and membranes and a specific focus will be on gas separation membranes and zinc ionic hydrogels. 

Cellulose hydrogels and membranesv