Organic chemistry

Degree of polymerization

Ultimate tensile strength

Polymer science

Engineering

Composite material

Hemicellulose

Chemistry

Materials science

Cellulose

Nanocellulose

Lignin

Polymerization

Mechanical strength

Chemical engineering

Polymer

Matter

Growing environmental awareness and depleting fossil resources pose an emerging quest for lightweight materials with outstanding mechanical properties and economic production from sustainable resources that are biodegradable, carbon neutral, and safe. Super-strong yet lightweight anisotropic nanocellulose films are demonstrated by a cellulose DP protection strategy, exhibiting a tensile strength up to 1.13GPa. The high strength and low density of the nanocellulose films renders the highest specific strength of 820 MPa cm3 g−1 among any known natural polymers and some strong metals.

Critical Role of Degree of Polymerization of Cellulose in Super-Strong Nanocellulose Films