Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is one of the most promising cellulose derivatives. Due to its characteristic surface properties, mechanical strength, tunable hydrophilicity, viscous properties, availability and abundance of raw materials, low-cost synthesis process, and likewise many contrasting aspects, it is now widely used in various advanced application fields, for example, food, paper, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, biomedical engineering, wastewater treatment, energy production, and storage energy production, and storage and so on. Many research articles have been reported on CMC, depending on their sources and application fields. Thus, a comprehensive and well-organized review is in great demand that can provide an up-to-date and in-depth review on CMC. Herein, this review aims to provide compact information of the synthesis to the advanced applications of this material in various fields. Finally, this article covers the insights of future CMC research that could guide researchers working in this prominent field.

The poor burning resistance of cotton necessitates the control of its pyrolytic reactions, but many approaches have relied on the use of synthetically engineered chemicals. Herein, we show how a natural polyphenol from plants—tannic acid—acts with sodium ions to create a robust thermal barrier coat on cotton, with a focus on thermal kinetics. The kinetic information, combined with thermal and spectral analyses, revealed that the outer layer of galloyl units in tannic acid decomposes via a two-step reaction, producing a multicellular char of crosslinked aromatic rings, followed by the blowing of carbonaceous cells into a further expanded structure. This intumescent function of tannic acid was found to be enhanced upon its complexation with sodium ions, which greatly increased the activation energy for the first step of the reaction of tannic acid, to promote the formation of a stable char. The resulting blown char coated the cotton fiber below the thermal decomposition temperature of cellulose and was sustained throughout the decomposition. The enhanced thermal barrier performance of the Na–tannic acid complex was demonstrated by the reduced heat release capacity of cotton, the value of which was only about one-third that of tannic acid itself, and the inhibition of flame generation on cotton.

This comprehensive review explores furfural production from agricultural residues, focusing on its significance as a low-volume, high-value asset crucial for environmental sustainability. It covers diverse production technologies, recent advancements, and applications in agriculture, evaluating furfural's potential to enhance crop resilience and yield. Showing its role in a circular economy, the review discusses how furfural can replace conventional petrochemical processes, thereby reducing environmental impact. Case studies, such as successful implementations with cotton biomass byproducts, illustrate furfural's practical applications and environmental benefits. The study underscores the need for ongoing research, supportive policies, and furfural's growing role in sustainable agriculture and industry. It is focused on furfural's essential contribution to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. By examining furfural's role as a value-added product from agricultural residues, this review provides insights into its economic viability and potential challenges.