Biomimetic Foams of High Mechanical Performance Based on Nanostructured Cell Walls Reinforced by Native Cellulose Nanofibrils

A bioinspired foam in which cellulose nanofibrils are used to reinforce cell walls (ca. 3 µm) is presented. The nanocomposite foams are prepared by a lyophilization technique and show composite structure at the cell-wall scale. The nanocellulosic network shows remarkable mechanical performance, expressed in much-improved modulus and yield strength compared with the neat starch foam.