Plant Cellulose – An Attempt at General Characterization of Properties and Application of the Material

Abstract

This paper attempts to provide a general characterization of the properties and applications of plant cellulose (PC) based on literature data regarding its sources, discovery, fractional composition and cell dimensions, the microphysical structure of the fibrous component, its content in wood and non-woody plants, functional properties, traditional uses, and selected contemporary opportunities to expand the use of this material in the production of new types of industrial products. This topic can be useful from systematic, informational, and practical perspectives for engineers involved in teaching plant cellulose technology, for researchers and practitioners searching for substitute materials as alternatives to synthetic polymers and fossil-fuel-derived chemicals, and for paper mills seeking opportunities to mitigate the effects of declining demand for printing papers through the development of other PC-based products. The issues discussed in this article may serve as a starting point for the development of an expanded version of this study, supplemented with additional PC properties and applications not identified by the author, and ultimately for the preparation of a book that would include a comprehensive discussion of specific PC applications.