Cellulose-based aerogels, films, and fibers for advanced biomedical applications

Authors：Yaxuan Wang, Junjie Qi, Meng Zhang, Ting Xu*, Chunyang Zheng, Zhanhui Yuan* and Chuanling Si*

Abstract：Cellulose possesses hydrophilicity, high water retention capacity, excellent mechanical properties, and biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate material for biomedical applications. As a substrate and dispersant used in the preparation of aerogels, films, and fibers, it improves their moisturizing ability, water absorption, drug utilization and slows down the rate of drug release, demonstrating outstanding therapeutic effects in biomedical research. This review summarizes and discusses the latest advancements in the application of cellulose-based aerogels, films, and fibers in the biomedical field. First, the properties of cellulose and its application principles in biomedical materials are analyzed. Second, the methods for preparing cellulose-based aerogels, films, and fibers are summarized, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Then, the latest research progress of cellulose-based aerogels, films, and fibers in drug delivery, wound dressings, and tissue engineering scaffolds is reviewed. Finally, the review concludes with a summary and provides future development directions for the field.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.154434