Cellulose-based composite materials have attracted increasing interest among scientists working on developing energy-storage materials with unique properties. In the present study, an aerogel was synthesized from sunflower seed husk (SFH) to form microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), the hydrogen (H2) sorption potential of which was then investigated. The effect of MCC concentration on the nitrogen sorption capacity of the aerogel samples obtained was assessed based on comparison with other like materials. As per the results of BET analysis, the aerogel with an MCC concentration of 3% was determined to be microporous, with a specific surface area of 3000 cm2/g, average pore diameter of 29.7 nm, total pore volume of 0.44 cm3/g, density of 166 kg/m3, and porosity of 95%. It was found that at a temperature of 77 K and up to 1 bar, MCC3/polyacrylamide (PAm) aerogel can sorb up to 0.8% hydrogen. Additionally, the results of SEM analysis revealed a microporous surface morphology, while FTIR analysis showed that the hydroxy groups in the MCC molecule and the amino groups in the PAm molecule form hydrogen bonds with each other. The results of the research indicate that such an aerogel has potential for use as a material for H2 storage, and appears to be more ecologically friendly than the metal hydrides used in many H2 fuel cells and storage containers, the end-of-life processing of which remains a relatively unexplored issue. Generally, cellulose is considered to be a highly desirable material from both ecological and economic perspectives. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025.

Considerable interest in food packaging research has been prompted by the rising environmental impact of waste, customer awareness for readily accessible foods with extended shelf life, and ecological consciousness about the scarcity of natural resources. The utilization of plastic-based food packaging has resulted in a significant environmental concern due to the accumulation of substantial quantities of plastic in the surrounding areas. Research efforts are being motivated by ecological and health considerations in the pursuit of developing biodegradable films. Besides, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been suggested as a possible substitute for petroleum-based polymers because of its sustainability, simple accessibility, and biodegradability. PLA is a biodegradable plastic made from sugar beet or maize starch that may be fermented by bacteria to generate material with desirable qualities like transparency and rigidity. However, there is a need for further improvement in certain properties of PLA, such as flexibility, toughness, permeability, and thermal properties. One potential approach for enhancing these attributes involves the integration of nano-reinforcement. The utilisation of nanocellulose derived from biomass has garnered significant interest in recent times owing to its renewable nature, ability to biodegrade, impressive mechanical strength, low density, and considerable economic worth. In this study, we present a comprehensive overview of the most up-to-date methods for synthesising nanocellulose and its use as a filler material in the manufacture of PLA nanocomposites for food packaging. In addition, this study examines the emerging challenges and potential advantages associated with the utilization of PLA biocomposites incorporated with nanocellulose in the food packaging sector. © The Author(s) 2024.