ABSTRACT
Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable resource that consists mainly of three types of biopolymers: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. This chapter highlights the types of biomass resources for cellulose and nanocellulose; chemical functionalization to different types of derivatives; physicochemical properties of cellulose, nanocellulose, and its derivatives; and application of the functionalized materials for nanocomposites. Cellulose is known to have a main functional group, that is, a hydroxyl group, on cellulose surfaces, which is attributed to its properties. This hydroxyl group can be modified via chemical reactions in order to enhance its properties. Generally, cellulose can be derived from a variety of renewable sources, such as woods, animal, annual plants, algal biomass, and bacteria. Silane functionalization usually improves the degree of crosslinking in the interface of nanocellulose as well as offering excellent bonding. The acetylation of nanocellulose improves the transparency and reduces hydroscopicity, which in turn reduces its moisture absorption.
