Nanocellulose, a nanostructured cellulose with high modulus, large specific surface area, and excellent mechanical properties, has shown great potential in cementitious materials. This study first presents a bibliometric analysis of research on nanocellulose-modified cementitious materials and then comprehensively reviews four nanocellulose types, namely, cellulose nanofibers, cellulose nanocrystals, bacterial cellulose, and cellulose filaments. Their effects on the mechanical performance, hydration, shrinkage, rheological behaviour, microstructure, and durability of cementitious materials are compared and discussed. The results indicate that different nanocellulose types influence cementitious materials in different ways. Appropriate incorporation of nanocellulose, together with suitable mixture parameters such as water-to-cement ratio, supplementary cementitious materials, and mix design, can effectively improve the mechanical, rheological, and durability-related properties of cementitious composites. Finally, promising application scenarios, such as oil well cement and dental materials, are highlighted, while major technical bottlenecks, including dispersion difficulties caused by nanoscale agglomeration and alkaline instability due to glycosidic bond hydrolysis, are discussed.
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Research Article|
May 25 2026
Research progress of different kinds of nanocellulose-modified cementitious materials: a review Available to Purchase
Kunming Li;
Kunming Li
College of Engineering,
Lishui University
, Lishui, China
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Xiuteng Diao;
Xiuteng Diao
College of Civil Engineering,
Zhejiang University of Technology
, Hangzhou, China
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Yubing Ouyang;
Yubing Ouyang
College of Civil Engineering,
Zhejiang University of Technology
, Hangzhou, China
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Tao Shi;
College of Civil Engineering,
Zhejiang University of Technology
, Hangzhou, China
; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Green Construction and Intelligent Operation & Maintenance for Coastal Infrastructure, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, ChinaCorresponding author Tao Shi (shitao@zjut.edu.cn)
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Yufeng Song;
Yufeng Song
College of Civil Engineering,
Zhejiang University of Technology
, Hangzhou, China
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Guoyong Zhang;
Guoyong Zhang
Zhejiang Academy of Building Research& Design Co., Ltd
, Hangzhou, China
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Zekun Liu
Zekun Liu
College of Civil Engineering,
Zhejiang University of Technology
, Hangzhou, China
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Corresponding author Tao Shi (shitao@zjut.edu.cn)
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interest.
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
September 15 2025
Accepted:
March 25 2026
Online ISSN: 1751-7680
Print ISSN: 1478-4629
Funding
Funding Group:
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): National Key Research and Development Programme of China
- Award Id(s): 2023YFE0121700
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Award Id(s): 52378270,52408302,52402036
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Science and Technology Plan Project of Taizhou
- Award Id(s): 25gya33
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): “Innovation Yongjiang 2035” Key R & D Programme
- Award Id(s): 2024Z087
- Funder(s):
- Funding Statement(s): The authors are grateful for the support of the National Key Research and Development Programme of China (2023YFE0121700), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52378270, 52408302, and 52402036), the Science and Technology Plan Project of Taizhou (25gya33), and the “Innovation Yongjiang 2035” Key R & D Programme (2024Z087).
© 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited
2026
Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability 1–38.
Article history
Received:
September 15 2025
Accepted:
March 25 2026
Citation
Li K, Diao X, Ouyang Y, Shi T, Song Y, Zhang G, Liu Z (2026;), "Research progress of different kinds of nanocellulose-modified cementitious materials: a review". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1680/jensu.25.00209
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