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Cellulose nanocrystals are considered as promising biomass nanofillers for polymeric hydrogels, but poor interface compatibility between cellulose nanocrystals and hydrogel matrix usually reduces their reinforcement effect. Here, we reported a novel interface compatible nanocomposite hydrogel prepared by introducing quaternized tunicate cellulose nanocrystals (Q-TCNCs) into chemically cross-linked poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) networks. Q-TCNCs acted as both nanofillers and physical cross-linkers in the PAA networks, and the electrostatic interaction between the positive charges of Q-TCNCs and negative charges of PAA chains improved their interface compatibility. The nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited controllable swelling ratio and pH-sensitive swelling behaviors. The mechanical properties of hydrogels significantly increased after incorporation of Q-TCNCs. Moreover, the nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited partly recoverable ability due to the presence of reversible electrovalent bonds in the hydrogel networks., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

• Tunicate cellulose was dissolved in LiOH/urea aqueous solution for the first time. • Tunicate cellulose hydrogels were used for β -FeOOH nanoparticles deposition. • The nanocomposite hydrogels were used for efficient dyes photocatalysis. • The nanocomposite hydrogels were applied to a flowing photocatalytic system. The environmentally friendly materials fabricated from renewable marine resources have aroused worldwide concerns. Here, for the first time, tunicate cellulose was dissolved in LiOH/urea aqueous solution at −12 °C after ball-milling, and its molecular weight was determined with laser light scattering. Hydrogels were fabricated from the cellulose solution by regenerating in ethanol, and β -FeOOH nanoparticles (NPs) were in-situ synthesized to obtain β -FeOOH/cellulose composite hydrogels (TCH-Fe). The tunicate cellulose hydrogels (TCH) not only disperse uniformly and immobilize firmly the β -FeOOH NPs, but also acted as structural materials for continuous flow photocatalytic system. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) over TCH-Fe achieved up to 99.89% in 30 min under visible-light irradiation, and maintained as high as ∼98% after treatment for 8 h, indicating a highly efficient photodegradation of MB. We provided a low-cost and facile method to construct new sustainable materials derived from marine biomass with highly efficient photocatalytic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]