Cellulose through the Lens of Microfluidics: A Review

Abstract

Cellulose, a linear polysaccharide, is the most common and renewable biopolymer in nature. Because this natural polymer cannot be melted (heated) or dissolved (in typical organic solvents), making complicated structures from it necessitates specialized material processing design. In this review, we looked at the literature to see how cellulose in various shapes and forms has been utilized in conjunction with microfluidic chips, whether as a component of the chips, being processed by a chip, or providing characterization via chips. We utilized more than approximately 250 sources to compile this publication, and we sought to portray cellulose manufacturing utilizing a microfluidic system. The findings reveal that a variety of products, including elongated fibres, microcapsules, core–shell structures and particles, and 3D or 2D structured microfluidics-based devices, may be easily built utilizing the coupled topics of microfluidics and cellulose. This review is intended to provide a concise, visual, yet comprehensive depiction of current research on the topic of cellulose product design and understanding using microfluidics, including, but not limited to, paper-based microfluidics design and implications, and the emulsification/shape formation of cellulose inside the chips.