Structure and Properties of Cellulose and Its Derivatives

The widespread recognition of environmental, social, and financial imperatives, the hunt for environmentally friendly, sustainable technology, the escalating waste issue, environmental law requirements, and the depletion of fossil fuel supplies underlie the focus of scientific research on the development of eco-friendly materials. Lignocellulosic fiber is among the most studied natural materials due to its impressive economic and environmental characteristics. However, its use as an alternative to petroleum compounds requires in-depth knowledge of its structure, properties, and interactions with other materials of a different nature. However, even if these fibers have little interest in being used directly in composites, the constituent elements can still be exploited. Cellulose is the element that contributes the most to the structural properties of annual plants, is a good example. The first part of this chapter will describe the annual plant fibers and their structure and molecular organization. At the same time, the second part will deal with the cellulose's physical-chemical characteristics and those of its derivatives.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. Materials Science, Energy and Nano-engineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), 43150, Benguerir, Morocco Zineb Kassab, Fatima-Zahra Semlali Aouragh Hassani, El-Houssaine Ablouh, Houssine Sehaqui & Mounir El Achaby
2. Laboratoire d’Ingénierie et Matériaux, Faculté des Sciences Ben M’sik, Université Hassan II, B.P.7955, Casablanca, Morocco Adil Bahloul
3. Composites and Nanocomposites Center (CNC), Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), Rabat Design Center, Rue Mohamed El Jazouli, Madinat El Irfane, 10100, Rabat, Morocco Rachid Bouhfid & Abou El Kacem Qaiss

1. Zineb Kassab