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Review
. 2024 Feb 29;10(3):174.
doi: 10.3390/gels10030174.

Advancements in Cellulose-Based Superabsorbent Hydrogels: Sustainable Solutions across Industries

Hossein Omidian  1 , Arnavaz Akhzarmehr  1 , Sumana Dey Chowdhury  1
Affiliations
Review

Advancements in Cellulose-Based Superabsorbent Hydrogels: Sustainable Solutions across Industries

Hossein Omidian et al. Gels. .

Abstract

The development of superabsorbent hydrogels is experiencing a transformative era across industries. While traditional synthetic hydrogels have found broad utility, their non-biodegradable nature has raised environmental concerns, driving the search for eco-friendlier alternatives. Cellulose-based superabsorbents, derived from sustainable sources, are gaining prominence. Innovations include biodegradable polymer hydrogels, natural cellulose-chitosan variants, and cassava starch-based alternatives. These materials are reshaping agriculture by enhancing soil fertility and water retention, serving as potent hemostatic agents in medicine, contributing to pollution control, and providing eco-friendly construction materials. Cellulose-based hydrogels also offer promise in drug delivery and hygiene products. Advanced characterization techniques aid in optimizing their properties, while the shift towards circular economy practices further highlights sustainability. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of these advancements, highlighting their diverse applications and environmental benefits.

Keywords: biodegradable hydrogels; cellulose-based superabsorbents; eco-friendly construction materials; environmental pollution control; sustainable agriculture.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Release profiles of (a) potassium, (b) phosphorus and (c) nitrogen in a water medium from an uncoated and PVA@CNC-coated NPK fertilizer with different CNC loadings [30].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Evaluation of the performance of the most practical sample named as NDS (Compound A4) in severe bleeding due to the amputation of the rat femoral artery to record bleeding stop time and lost blood amount, with commercial Gelita-Cel® and Traumastem® powder as the positive control group and the untreated group as the negative control group. (A) Chart of clotting time, (B) Chart of bleeding amount (n = 5), and (C–F) images of bleeding position. (D) Related to commercial powder Gelita-Cel®, (E,F) related to Compound A4 (named as NDS) [17].
Figure 3
Figure 3
The oil absorption capacities and retention capacities of the KNFs for (a) mineral oil and (b) vegetable; (c) the absorption capacities of the 0.2 KNF for various oils and organic solvents [56].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Trade-offs of developing SAPs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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