The development of science and technology brings forward higher and higher requirements for the properties of materials. Nanocellulose, with many fascinating properties including large specific surface area, template structure, good modifiability, biodegradability, and etc., has wide application prospects. The surface properties and interfacial compatibility of nanocellulose are the keys to its application performance. This review mainly summarizes the colloid and surface chemistry of nanocellulose and their effects on the dispersity in various solvents and polymer matrices, and especially focuses on the impact of surface hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, charge repulsion and steric hindrance on the dispersion properties. Various surface modification methods to improve the dispersion performance of nanocellulose, such as oxidation, etherification, esterification, amidation, graft polymerization, and etc., are summarized. In addition, the application of nanocellulose as the dispersant for Pickering emulsion, carbon nanomaterials, metal nanoparticles and etc. is also introduced. The development trend and potential application of nanocellulose are finally prospected.
Keywords: Dispersity; Electrostatic repulsion; Grafting; Nanocellulose; Steric hindrance; Surface modification.
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