Production and Mechanical Characterisation of TEMPO-Oxidised Cellulose Nanofibrils/β-Cyclodextrin Films and Cryogels

Cryogels: Advancing Biomaterials for Transformative Biomedical Applications

Cryogels, composed of synthetic and natural materials, have emerged as versatile biomaterials with applications in tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and therapeutics. However, optimizing cryogel properties, such as mechanical strength and release profiles, remains challenging. To advance the field, researchers are exploring advanced manufacturing techniques, biomimetic design, and addressing long-term stability. Combination therapies and drug delivery systems using cryogels show promise. In vivo evaluation and clinical trials are crucial for safety and efficacy. Overcoming practical challenges, including scalability, structural integrity, mass transfer constraints, biocompatibility, seamless integration, and cost-effectiveness, is essential. By addressing these challenges, cryogels can transform biomedical applications with innovative biomaterials.

Hydrophobic functionalization reactions of structured cellulose nanomaterials: Mechanisms, kinetics and in silico multi-scale models

Nanoscale-interfaced cellulose nanomaterials are extracted from polysaccharides, which are widely available in nature, biocompatible and biodegradable. Moreover, the latter have a potential to be recycled, upcycled, and formulate therefore a great theoretical predisposition to be used in a number of applications. Nanocrystals, nano-fibrils and nanofibers possess reactive functional groups that enable hydrophobic surface modifications. Analysed literature data, concerning mechanisms, pathways and kinetics, was screened, compared and assessed with regard to the demand of a catalyst, different measurement conditions and added molecule reactions. There is presently only a scarce technique description for carbonOH bond functionalization, considering the elementary chemical steps, sequences and intermediates of these (non)catalytic transformations. The overview of the prevailing basic research together with in silico modelling approach methodology gives us a deeper physical understanding of processes. Finally, to further highlight the applicability of such raw materials, the review of the development in several multidisciplinary fields was presented.