Cellulose-based composites and methods of making the same

A composition comprising a cellulose particle and a binder, wherein:

• the cellulose particle comprises a cellulose core and a surface group wherein the surface group is positively charged, negatively charged, neutral or a combination thereof and wherein a neutral surface group comprises at least one of a carboxyl group, a methoxy group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group, a carbonyl group, an aldehyde group, an azide group, an isonitrile group, or a halogen group, and wherein the binder interacts with the surface group to form a composite.