Owing to the environmental pollution caused by petroleum-based packaging materials, there is an imminent need to develop novel food packaging materials. Nanocellulose, which is a one-dimensional structure, has excellent physical and chemical properties, such as renewability, degradability, sound mechanical properties, and good biocompatibility, indicating promising applications in modern industry, particularly in food packaging. This article introduces nanocellulose, followed by its extraction methods and the preparation of relevant composite films. Meanwhile, the performances of nanocellulose composite films in improving the mechanical, barrier (oxygen, water vapor, ultraviolet) and thermal properties of food packaging materials and the development of biodegradable or edible packaging materials in the food industry are elaborated. In addition, the excellent performances of nanocellulose composites for the packaging and preservation of various food categories are outlined. This study provides a theoretical framework for the development and utilization of nanocellulose composite films in the food packaging industry.

A facile method inspired by the cake making process is developed to fabricate reduced graphene oxide wrapped plant fiber sponges (PFS@rGO) through in situ coating and foaming. This method avoids the use of energy-intensive equipment for molding and drying, and hence has great potential in the production of large-sized rGO sponges. With a highly porous framework, good mechanical properties, efficient solar absorption, and low thermal conductivity, the as-fabricated hydrophilic and light-weight PFS@rGO readily floats on seawater and generates water vapor with a solar thermal conversion efficiency of 88.8% under 1 sun illumination.