1
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Parton TG, Parker RM, Osbild S, Vignolini S, Frka-Petesic B. Angle-resolved optical spectroscopy of photonic cellulose nanocrystal films reveals the influence of additives on the mechanism of kinetic arrest. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:3695-3707. [PMID: 38629173 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00155a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are rod-like nanoparticles whose chiral self-assembly into photonic films has been promoted as a sustainable source of colouration. Upon drying, an aqueous CNC suspension passes through two regimes: first, a liquid phase, where the CNCs self-organise into a cholesteric liquid crystal, followed by a kinetically-arrested phase, where the helicoidal structure compresses upon loss of solvent, resulting in a solid film with vibrant structural colour. The transition between these two regimes plays an important role in the visual appearance of photonic CNC films, but details on when and how kinetic arrest occurs have remained elusive. In this work, we combine angle-resolved optical spectroscopy of photonic films (approx. 100 vol% CNC) with a model for compressed helicoidal structures to retrieve the suspension conditions during kinetic arrest (approx. 10 vol% CNC). This analysis indicates a shift in the mechanism of kinetic arrest from a glass transition at lower ionic strength to gelation at higher ionic strength, explaining the trends in domain size and film colour. In contrast, neutral additives (glucose, poly(ethylene glycol)) appear to primarily reduce the compression upon drying without affecting cholesteric behaviour, as supported by a general analytical model. These findings deepen our understanding of CNC co-assembly with various commonly-used additives, enabling better control over the production of multifunctional structurally coloured materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Parton
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, UK.
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Richard M Parker
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Sonja Osbild
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, UK.
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, UK.
- International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM2), Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
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2
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Wang Z, Chu J, Shi L, Xing T, Gao X, Xu Y. Chiral Pearlescent Cellulose Nanocrystals Films with Broad-Range Tunable Optical Properties for Anti-Counterfeiting Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306810. [PMID: 38012531 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Pearlescent materials are of technological importance in a diverse array of industries from cosmetics to premium paints; however, chiral pearlescent materials remain unexplored. Here, chiral pearlescent films with on-demand iridescence and metallic appearance are simply organized by leveraging vertical pressure to direct the self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals. The films are formed with a bilayer planar anchored left-handed chiral nematic architecture, in which the bottom layer is featured with a vertical gradient pitch, and the top layer is featured with a uniform pitch. Simultaneous reflection of the rainbow colors and an on-demand color of left-handed polarized light with angle-dependent wavelength and polarization state accounts for the unique optical phenomenon based on experimental observation and theoretical analysis. Such chiroptical property can be readily tuned with architectural design, enabling reproducible optical appearance with high fidelity. Bringing the pearlescence, iridescence, and specular reflection together endows cellulose nanocrystal films with rich and tunable chiroptical properties that can be used for anti-counterfeiting applications. The current work marks the beginning of chiral pearlescent materials from renewable resources, while the pressure-directed self-assembly provides a step toward scalable production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Jiao Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Lei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Tingyang Xing
- Institute of Digitized Medicine and Intelligent Technology, Wenzhou Medical University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqing Gao
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Jinlian Road, Longwan District, Wenzhou, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Yan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
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3
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Geng Y, Honorato-Rios C, Noh J, Lagerwall JPF. Cholesteric Spherical Reflectors with Tunable Color from Single-Domain Cellulose Nanocrystal Microshells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305251. [PMID: 37797655 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The wavelength- and polarization-selective Bragg reflection of visible light exhibited by films produced by drying cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) render these biosourced nanoparticles highly potent for many optical applications. While the conventionally produced films are flat, the CLC-derived helical CNC arrangement would acquire new powerful features if given spherical curvature. Drying CNC suspension droplets does not work, because the onset of kinetic arrest in droplets of anisotropic colloids leads to severe buckling and loss of spherical shape. Here, these problems are avoided by confining the CNC suspension in a spherical microshell surrounding an incompressible oil droplet. This prevents buckling, ensures strong helix pitch compression, and produces single-domain cholesteric spherical reflector particles with distinct visible color. Interestingly, the constrained shrinkage leads to spontaneous puncturing, leaving every particle with a single hole through which the inner oil phase can be extracted for recycling. By mixing two different CNC types at varying fractions, the retroreflection color is tuned throughout the visible spectrum. The new approach adds a versatile tool in the quest to utilize bioderived CLCs, enabling spherically curved particles with the same excellent optical quality and smooth surface as previously obtained only in flat films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Geng
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, L-1511, Luxembourg
| | - Camila Honorato-Rios
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, L-1511, Luxembourg
- Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - JungHyun Noh
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, L-1511, Luxembourg
| | - Jan P F Lagerwall
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, L-1511, Luxembourg
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4
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Frka-Petesic B, Parton TG, Honorato-Rios C, Narkevicius A, Ballu K, Shen Q, Lu Z, Ogawa Y, Haataja JS, Droguet BE, Parker RM, Vignolini S. Structural Color from Cellulose Nanocrystals or Chitin Nanocrystals: Self-Assembly, Optics, and Applications. Chem Rev 2023; 123:12595-12756. [PMID: 38011110 PMCID: PMC10729353 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Widespread concerns over the impact of human activity on the environment have resulted in a desire to replace artificial functional materials with naturally derived alternatives. As such, polysaccharides are drawing increasing attention due to offering a renewable, biodegradable, and biocompatible feedstock for functional nanomaterials. In particular, nanocrystals of cellulose and chitin have emerged as versatile and sustainable building blocks for diverse applications, ranging from mechanical reinforcement to structural coloration. Much of this interest arises from the tendency of these colloidally stable nanoparticles to self-organize in water into a lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystal, which can be readily manipulated in terms of its periodicity, structure, and geometry. Importantly, this helicoidal ordering can be retained into the solid-state, offering an accessible route to complex nanostructured films, coatings, and particles. In this review, the process of forming iridescent, structurally colored films from suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is summarized and the mechanisms underlying the chemical and physical phenomena at each stage in the process explored. Analogy is then drawn with chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs), allowing for key differences to be critically assessed and strategies toward structural coloration to be presented. Importantly, the progress toward translating this technology from academia to industry is summarized, with unresolved scientific and technical questions put forward as challenges to the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
- International
Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM), Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Thomas G. Parton
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Camila Honorato-Rios
- Department
of Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Aurimas Narkevicius
- B
CUBE − Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kevin Ballu
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Qingchen Shen
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Zihao Lu
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Ogawa
- CERMAV-CNRS,
CS40700, 38041 Grenoble cedex 9, France
| | - Johannes S. Haataja
- Department
of Applied Physics, Aalto University School
of Science, P.O. Box
15100, Aalto, Espoo FI-00076, Finland
| | - Benjamin E. Droguet
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M. Parker
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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Wang Q, Niu W, Feng S, Liu J, Liu H, Zhu Q. Accelerating Cellulose Nanocrystal Assembly into Chiral Nanostructures. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37464327 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspensions self-assembled into chiral nematic liquid crystals. This property has enabled the development of versatile optical materials with fascinating properties. Nevertheless, the scale-up production and commercial success of chiral nematic CNC superstructures face significant challenges. Fabrication of chiral nematic CNC nanostructures suffers from a ubiquitous pernicious trade-off between uniform chiral nematic structure and rapid self-assembly. Specifically, the chiral nematic assembly of CNCs is a time-consuming, spontaneous process that involves the organization of particles into ordered nanostructures as the solvent evaporates. This review is driven by the interest in accelerating chiral nematic CNC assembly and promoting a long-range oriented chiral nematic CNC superstructure. To start this review, the chirality origins of CNC and CNC aggregates are analyzed. This is followed by a summary of the recent advances in stimuli-accelerated chiral nematic CNC self-assembly procedures, including evaporation-induced self-assembly, continuous coating, vacuum-assisted self-assembly, and shear-induced CNC assembly under confinement. In particular, stimuli-induced unwinding, alignment, and relaxation of chiral nematic structures were highlighted, offering a significant link between the accelerated assembly approaches and uniform chiral nematic nanostructures. Ultimately, future opportunities and challenges for rapid chiral nematic CNC assembly are discussed for more innovative and exciting applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Wen Niu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Shixuan Feng
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Qianqian Zhu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Institute of Quantum and Sustainable Technology (IQST), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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6
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Parker RM, Parton TG, Chan CLC, Bay M, Frka-Petesic B, Vignolini S. Bioinspired Photonic Materials from Cellulose: Fabrication, Optical Analysis, and Applications. ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH 2023; 4:522-535. [PMID: 37383657 PMCID: PMC10294254 DOI: 10.1021/accountsmr.3c00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Polysaccharides are a class of biopolymers that are widely exploited in living organisms for a diversity of applications, ranging from structural reinforcement to energy storage. Among the numerous types of polysaccharides found in the natural world, cellulose is the most abundant and widespread, as it is found in virtually all plants. Cellulose is typically organized into nanoscale crystalline fibrils within the cell wall to give structural integrity to plant tissue. However, in several species, such fibrils are organized into helicoidal nanostructures with a periodicity comparable to visible light (i.e., in the range 250-450 nm), resulting in structural coloration. As such, when taking bioinspiration as a design principle, it is clear that helicoidal cellulose architectures are a promising approach to developing sustainable photonic materials. Different forms of cellulose-derived materials have been shown to produce structural color by exploiting self-assembly processes. For example, crystalline nanoparticles of cellulose can be extracted from natural sources, such as cotton or wood, by strong acid hydrolysis. Such "cellulose nanocrystals" (CNCs) have been shown to form colloidal suspensions in water that can spontaneously self-organize into a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, mimicking the natural helicoidal architecture. Upon drying, this nanoscale ordering can be retained into the solid state, enabling the specific reflection of visible light. Using this approach, colors from across the entire visible spectrum can be produced, alongside striking visual effects such as iridescence or a metallic shine. Similarly, polymeric cellulose derivatives can also organize into a cholesteric liquid crystal. In particular, edible hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is known to produce colorful mesophases at high concentrations in water (ca. 60-70 wt %). This solution state behavior allows for interesting visual effects such as mechanochromism (enabling its use in low-cost colorimetric pressure or strain sensors), while trapping the structure into the solid state enables the production of structurally colored films, particles and 3D printed objects. In this article, we summarize the state-of-the-art for CNC and HPC-based photonic materials, encompassing the underlying self-assembly processes, strategies to design their photonic response, and current approaches to translate this burgeoning green technology toward commercial application in a wide range of sectors, from packaging to cosmetics and food. This overview is supported by a summary of the analytical techniques required to characterize these photonic materials and approaches to model their optical response. Finally, we present several unresolved scientific questions and outstanding technical challenges that the wider community should seek to address to develop these sustainable photonic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chun Lam Clement Chan
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Mélanie
M. Bay
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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7
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Klockars KW, Greca LG, Majoinen J, Mihhels K, Rojas OJ, Tardy BL. Drying stresses in cellulose nanocrystal coatings: Impact of molecular and macromolecular additives. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 303:120465. [PMID: 36657848 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The industrial implementation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in films and coatings requires thorough evaluation of the internal stresses post-consolidation, as they cause fracturing and peeling. Characterizing the impact of plasticizing additives on stress is therefore critical. Herein, we use the deflection of thin glass substrates to measure drying stresses in consolidating CNC films, and benchmark the impact of five additives (glucose, glycerol, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and bovine serum albumin). Glycerol and PEG reduced drying stresses effectively, while PEG of increased molecular weight (from 0.2 to 10 kDa), PVA, and BSA were less effective. We analyzed the temporal aspects of the process, where stress relaxation of up to 30 % was observed 2 years after coating formation. Finally, we provide a framework to evaluate the impact of CNC morphology on residual stresses. The introduced approach is expected to fast-track the optimization and implementation of coatings based on biocolloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad W Klockars
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Luiz G Greca
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Johanna Majoinen
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Karl Mihhels
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Orlando J Rojas
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Blaise L Tardy
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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8
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Chang MH, Oh-e M. Kinetic arrest during the drying of cellulose nanocrystal films from aqueous suspensions analogous to the freezing of thermal motions. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21042. [PMID: 36470939 PMCID: PMC9722664 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24926-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of controlling the iridescence of cellulose films by manipulating the alignment and helical pitch of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is required to advance cellulose photonics and its optoelectronic applications. Aqueous suspensions of CNCs exhibit a cholesteric liquid crystal (LC) phase with structural color; however, attaining a uniformly colored film is extremely difficult. Presumably, because multiple interrelated factors influence the CNC molecular alignment and helical pitch, existing models are not necessarily conclusive and remain a subject of debate. To eventually achieve homogeneously colored films, we compare aqueous CNC suspensions as a lyotropic liquid LC with thermotropic ones, and we spectroscopically confirm that the coloration of CNC droplets originates from the periodic CNC structure. The suspension drying process significantly influences the quality of iridescence of CNC films. Rapidly drying a droplet of a CNC suspension forms a concentric rainbow film, with red edges and a blue center, typical of the coffee-ring effect observed in air-dried films. By contrast, slow drying under controlled humidity, which reduces capillary flow, provides higher uniformity and a large blue area. Orbitally shaking films while drying under high humidity further improves the uniformity. Therefore, the evaporation rate significantly influences the thermodynamically stabilized helical pitch of CNCs, which determines the structural color. We qualitatively model the kinetic arrest induced by the rapid evaporation of lyotropic LCs in a manner equivalent to that induced by the rate of temperature change in thermotropic LCs and other materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Hsiang Chang
- grid.38348.340000 0004 0532 0580Institute of Photonics Technologies, Department of Electrical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, 101 Sec. 2 Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, 30013 Taiwan
| | - Masahito Oh-e
- grid.38348.340000 0004 0532 0580Institute of Photonics Technologies, Department of Electrical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, 101 Sec. 2 Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, 30013 Taiwan
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9
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Geng Y, Kizhakidathazhath R, Lagerwall JPF. Robust cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer fibres for mechanochromic textiles. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:1441-1447. [PMID: 36175519 PMCID: PMC9712110 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Mechanically responsive textiles have transformative potential in many areas from fashion to healthcare. Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers have strong mechanochromic responses that offer attractive opportunities for such applications. Nonetheless, making liquid crystalline elastomer fibres suitable for textiles is challenging since the Plateau-Rayleigh instability tends to break up precursor solutions into droplets. Here, we report a simple approach that balances the viscoelastic properties of the precursor solution to avoid this outcome and achieve long and mechanically robust cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer filaments. These filaments have fast, progressive and reversible mechanochromic responses, from red to blue (wavelength shift of 155 nm), when stretched up to 200%. Moreover, the fibres can be sewed into garments and withstand repeated stretching and regular machine washing. This approach and resulting fibres may be useful for applications in wearable technology and other areas benefiting from autonomous strain sensing or detection of critically strong deformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Geng
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
| | | | - Jan P F Lagerwall
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
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10
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Wang Q, Zhou R, Sun J, Liu J, Zhu Q. Naturally Derived Janus Cellulose Nanomaterials: Anisotropic Cellulose Nanomaterial Building Blocks and Their Assembly into Asymmetric Structures. ACS NANO 2022; 16:13468-13491. [PMID: 36075202 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c04883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Naturally derived cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) with desirable physicochemical properties have drawn tremendous attention for their versatile applications in a broad range of fields. More recently, Janus amphiphilic cellulose nanomaterial particles with asymmetric structures (i.e., reducing and nonreducing ends and crystalline and amorphous domains) have been in the spotlight, offering a rich and sophisticated toolbox for Janus nanomaterials. With careful surface and interfacial engineering, Janus CNM particles have demonstrated great potential as surface modifiers, emulsifiers, stabilizers, compatibilizers, and dispersants in emulsions, nanocomposites, and suspensions. Naturally derived Janus CNM particles offer a fascinating opportunity for scaling up the production of self-standing Janus CNM membranes. Nevertheless, most Janus CNM membranes to date are constructed by asymmetric fabrication or asymmetric modification without considering the Janus traits of CNM particles. More future research should focus on the self-assembly of Janus CNM particles into bulk self-standing Janus CNM membranes to enable more straightforward and sustainable approaches for Janus membranes. This review explores the fabrication, structure-property relationship, and Janus configuration mechanisms of Janus CNM particles and membranes. Janus CNM membranes are highlighted for their versatile applications in liquid, thermal, and light management. This review also highlights the significant advances and future perspectives in the construction and application of sustainable Janus CNM particles and membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-based Materials and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan 250353, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Liu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianqian Zhu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-based Materials and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan 250353, People's Republic of China
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11
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Zhu W, Droguet B, Shen Q, Zhang Y, Parton TG, Shan X, Parker RM, De Volder MFL, Deng T, Vignolini S, Li T. Structurally Colored Radiative Cooling Cellulosic Films. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2202061. [PMID: 35843893 PMCID: PMC9475522 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Daytime radiative cooling (DRC) materials offer a sustainable approach to thermal management by exploiting net positive heat transfer to deep space. While such materials typically have a white or mirror-like appearance to maximize solar reflection, extending the palette of available colors is required to promote their real-world utilization. However, the incorporation of conventional absorption-based colorants inevitably leads to solar heating, which counteracts any radiative cooling effect. In this work, efficient sub-ambient DRC (Day: -4 °C, Night: -11 °C) from a vibrant, structurally colored film prepared from naturally derived cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), is instead demonstrated. Arising from the underlying photonic nanostructure, the film selectively reflects visible light resulting in intense, fade-resistant coloration, while maintaining a low solar absorption (≈3%). Additionally, a high emission within the mid-infrared atmospheric window (>90%) allows for significant radiative heat loss. By coating such CNC films onto a highly scattering, porous ethylcellulose (EC) base layer, any sunlight that penetrates the CNC layer is backscattered by the EC layer below, achieving broadband solar reflection and vibrant structural color simultaneously. Finally, scalable manufacturing using a commercially relevant roll-to-roll process validates the potential to produce such colored radiative cooling materials at a large scale from a low-cost and sustainable feedstock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkai Zhu
- School of Mechanical EngineeringPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47906USA
| | - Benjamin Droguet
- Yusuf Hamied Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 1EWUK
| | - Qingchen Shen
- Yusuf Hamied Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 1EWUK
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix CompositesSchool of Materials Science and EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200240P. R. China
| | - Yun Zhang
- School of Mechanical EngineeringPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47906USA
| | - Thomas G. Parton
- Yusuf Hamied Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 1EWUK
| | - Xiwei Shan
- School of Mechanical EngineeringPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47906USA
| | - Richard M. Parker
- Yusuf Hamied Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 1EWUK
| | | | - Tao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix CompositesSchool of Materials Science and EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200240P. R. China
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf Hamied Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 1EWUK
| | - Tian Li
- School of Mechanical EngineeringPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIN47906USA
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12
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Narkevicius A, Parker RM, Ferrer-Orri J, Parton TG, Lu Z, van de Kerkhof GT, Frka-Petesic B, Vignolini S. Revealing the Structural Coloration of Self-Assembled Chitin Nanocrystal Films. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2203300. [PMID: 35623033 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202203300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The structural coloration of arthropods often arises from helicoidal structures made primarily of chitin. Although it is possible to achieve analogous helicoidal architectures by exploiting the self-assembly of chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs), to date no evidence of structural coloration has been reported from such structures. Previous studies are identified to have been constrained by both the experimental inability to access sub-micrometer helicoidal pitches and the intrinsically low birefringence of crystalline chitin. To expand the range of accessible pitches, here, ChNCs are isolated from two phylogenetically distinct sources of α-chitin, namely fungi and shrimp, while to increase the birefringence, an in situ alkaline treatment is performed, increasing the intensity of the reflected color by nearly two orders of magnitude. By combining this treatment with precise control over ChNC suspension formulation, structurally colored chitin-based films are demonstrated with reflection tunable from blue to near infrared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurimas Narkevicius
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Richard M Parker
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Jordi Ferrer-Orri
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Thomas G Parton
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Zihao Lu
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Gea T van de Kerkhof
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
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13
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Carboxylated cellulose nanocrystal films with tunable chiroptical properties. Carbohydr Polym 2022; 289:119442. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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14
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Bai L, Liu L, Esquivel M, Tardy BL, Huan S, Niu X, Liu S, Yang G, Fan Y, Rojas OJ. Nanochitin: Chemistry, Structure, Assembly, and Applications. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11604-11674. [PMID: 35653785 PMCID: PMC9284562 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, a fascinating biopolymer found in living organisms, fulfills current demands of availability, sustainability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, functionality, and renewability. A feature of chitin is its ability to structure into hierarchical assemblies, spanning the nano- and macroscales, imparting toughness and resistance (chemical, biological, among others) to multicomponent materials as well as adding adaptability, tunability, and versatility. Retaining the inherent structural characteristics of chitin and its colloidal features in dispersed media has been central to its use, considering it as a building block for the construction of emerging materials. Top-down chitin designs have been reported and differentiate from the traditional molecular-level, bottom-up synthesis and assembly for material development. Such topics are the focus of this Review, which also covers the origins and biological characteristics of chitin and their influence on the morphological and physical-chemical properties. We discuss recent achievements in the isolation, deconstruction, and fractionation of chitin nanostructures of varying axial aspects (nanofibrils and nanorods) along with methods for their modification and assembly into functional materials. We highlight the role of nanochitin in its native architecture and as a component of materials subjected to multiscale interactions, leading to highly dynamic and functional structures. We introduce the most recent advances in the applications of nanochitin-derived materials and industrialization efforts, following green manufacturing principles. Finally, we offer a critical perspective about the adoption of nanochitin in the context of advanced, sustainable materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Bai
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Liang Liu
- Jiangsu
Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest
Resources, Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuel and Chemicals,
College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing
Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Marianelly Esquivel
- Polymer
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National University of Costa Rica, Heredia 3000, Costa Rica
| | - Blaise L. Tardy
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Siqi Huan
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Xun Niu
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shouxin Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
| | - Guihua Yang
- State
Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of
Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
| | - Yimin Fan
- Jiangsu
Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest
Resources, Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuel and Chemicals,
College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing
Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Orlando J. Rojas
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
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15
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Qiao H, Li M, Wang C, Zhang Y, Zhou H. Progress, Challenge and Perspective of Fabricating Cellulose. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200208. [PMID: 35809256 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cellulose as the most abundant biopolymers on Earth, presents appealing performance in mechanical properties, thermal management, and versatile functionalization. The development of fabrication methods closely relates to enrich its functionality and reduce manufacture cost. However, cellulose is hard to be dissolved by most common solvents or melt due to its recalcitrant property. Herein, the recent progress of fabricating cellulose is summarized. First, the unique hierarchical structure of cellulose is fully investigated and the resulted processability is highlighted in directions of down to nanocellulose, dissolution, and thermoplastic processing. Then, the reported fabrication methods are summarized in three aspects: (1) self-assembly from nano/micro cellulose suspensions, especially the self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals; (2) dissolution-regeneration-drying, covering spinning and solvent infusion processing; and (3) thermoplastic processing, focusing on analysis of the setup and the morphology changes of the prepared products. In each aspect, the flowchart of the fabrication process, the behind mechanism, fabricated products, and effects of processing parameters are explored. Finally, this review provides a perspective on the further direction of fabricating cellulose, especially the challenges toward mass production of cellulose. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyu Qiao
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China.,State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Maoyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chuanyang Wang
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Huamin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
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16
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Parker RM, Zhao TH, Frka-Petesic B, Vignolini S. Cellulose photonic pigments. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3378. [PMID: 35697688 PMCID: PMC9192732 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31079-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
When pursuing sustainable approaches to fabricate photonic structures, nature can be used as a source of inspiration for both the nanoarchitecture and the constituent materials. Although several biomaterials have been promised as suitable candidates for photonic materials and pigments, their fabrication processes have been limited to the small to medium-scale production of films. Here, by employing a substrate-free process, structurally coloured microparticles are produced via the confined self-assembly of a cholesteric cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspension within emulsified microdroplets. Upon drying, the droplets undergo multiple buckling events, which allow for greater contraction of the nanostructure than predicted for a spherical geometry. This buckling, combined with a solvent or thermal post-treatment, enables the production of dispersions of vibrant red, green, and blue cellulose photonic pigments. The hierarchical structure of these pigments enables the deposition of coatings with angular independent colour, offering a consistent visual appearance across a wide range of viewing angles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Parker
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Tianheng H Zhao
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
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17
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Droguet BE, Liang HL, Frka-Petesic B, Parker RM, De Volder MFL, Baumberg JJ, Vignolini S. Large-scale fabrication of structurally coloured cellulose nanocrystal films and effect pigments. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:352-358. [PMID: 34764430 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-01135-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals are renewable plant-based colloidal particles capable of forming photonic films by solvent-evaporation-driven self-assembly. So far, the cellulose nanocrystal self-assembly process has been studied only at a small scale, neglecting the limitations and challenges posed by the continuous deposition processes that are required to exploit this sustainable material in an industrial context. Here, we addressed these limitations by using roll-to-roll deposition to produce large-area photonic films, which required optimization of the formulation of the cellulose nanocrystal suspension and the deposition and drying conditions. Furthermore, we showed how metre-long structurally coloured films can be processed into effect pigments and glitters that are dispersible, even in water-based formulations. These promising effect pigments are an industrially relevant cellulose-based alternative to current products that are either micro-polluting (for example, non-biodegradable microplastic glitters) or based on carcinogenic, unsustainable or unethically sourced compounds (for example, titania or mica).
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin E Droguet
- Bio-inspired Photonics Group, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hsin-Ling Liang
- Nanomanufacturing Group, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Nanophotonics Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Bio-inspired Photonics Group, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M Parker
- Bio-inspired Photonics Group, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael F L De Volder
- Nanomanufacturing Group, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy J Baumberg
- Nanophotonics Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Bio-inspired Photonics Group, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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18
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Atifi S, Mirvakili MN, Williams CA, Bay MM, Vignolini S, Hamad WY. Fast Self-Assembly of Scalable Photonic Cellulose Nanocrystals and Hybrid Films via Electrophoresis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2109170. [PMID: 35076132 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202109170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nano-enabled, bio-based, functional materials are key for the transition to a sustainable society as they can be used, owing to both their performance and nontoxicity, to gradually replace existing nonrenewable engineering materials. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), produced by acid hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass, have been shown to possess distinct self-assembly, optical, and electromechanical properties, and are anticipated to play an important role in the fabrication of photonic, optoelectronic, and functional hybrid materials. To facilitate CNCs' technological viability, a method suitable for industrial exploitation is developed to produce photonic films possessing long-range chirality on conductive, rigid, or flexible, substrates within a few minutes. The approach is based on electrophoretic deposition (EPD)-induced self-assembly of CNCs, where photonic films of any size can be produced by controlling CNC surface properties and EPD parameters. CNC film coloration can be determined by the CNC aqueous suspension characteristics, while their reflected intensity can be tuned by changing the duration and number of electrodeposition cycles. EPD-induced self-assembly of CNCs is compatible with in situ reduction of gold precursors without the need to use additional reducing agents (some of which are considered toxic), thereby allowing the preparation of hybrid photonic films with tunable plasmonic response in a one-pot process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siham Atifi
- Transformation and Interfaces Group, Bioproducts Innovation Centre of Excellence, FPInnovations, 2665 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mehr-Negar Mirvakili
- Transformation and Interfaces Group, Bioproducts Innovation Centre of Excellence, FPInnovations, 2665 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cyan A Williams
- Bio-inspired Photonics Group, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Mélanie M Bay
- Bio-inspired Photonics Group, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Bio-inspired Photonics Group, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Wadood Y Hamad
- Transformation and Interfaces Group, Bioproducts Innovation Centre of Excellence, FPInnovations, 2665 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
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19
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Guidetti G, Frka-Petesic B, Dumanli AG, Hamad WY, Vignolini S. Effect of thermal treatments on chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal films. Carbohydr Polym 2021; 272:118404. [PMID: 34420763 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The ability to manipulate the optical appearance of materials is essential in virtually all products and areas of technology. Structurally coloured chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) films proved to be an excellent platform to design optical appearance, as their response can be moulded by organising them in hierarchical architectures. Here, we study how thermal treatments influence the optical appearance of structurally coloured CNC films. We demonstrate that the CNCs helicoidal architecture and the chiral optical response can be maintained up to 250 °C after base treatment and cross-linking with glutaraldehyde, while, alternatively, an exposure to vacuum allows for the helicoidal arrangement to be further preserved up to 900 °C, thus producing aromatic chiral carbon. The ability to retain the helicoidal arrangement, and thus the visual appearance, in CNC films up to 250 °C is highly desirable for high temperature colour-based industrial applications and for passive colorimetric heat sensors. Similarly, the production of chiral carbon provides a new type of conductive carbon for electrochemical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Guidetti
- Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.
| | - Ahu G Dumanli
- Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.
| | - Wadood Y Hamad
- Bioproducts Innovation Centre of Excellence, FPInnovations, 2665 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.
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20
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Meng Y, Long Z, He Z, Fu X, Dong C. Chiral Cellulose Nanocrystal Humidity-Responsive Iridescent Films with Glucan for Tuned Iridescence and Reinforced Mechanics. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:4479-4488. [PMID: 34605629 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The fabrication of biomimetic photonic materials with environmental stimuli-responsive functions from entirely biobased materials is becoming increasingly challenging with the growing demand for biodegradable materials. Herein, the effect of glucan with different molecular weights on the mechanical performance and tunable structural color of iridescent CNC composite films was investigated. The existence of glucan did not influence the self-assembly performance of CNCs, but rather led to an improvement in the mechanical performance, enabling cholesteric CNC composite films with an adjustable structural color. Simultaneously, the iridescent films showed a conspicuous redshift and enlarged initial pitch without obstruction of the chiral structure. In response to environmental humidity, the structural colors of the iridescent composite films can be changed by regulating their chiral nematic structure. In particular, the films demonstrate a reversible structural color change between blue and red at RH between 50 and 98%. The resulting biobased iridescent composite films have potential applications in decorative coating, optical and humidity sensing, and anticounterfeiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Meng
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhu Long
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibin He
- Limerick Pulp and Paper Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Xiaotong Fu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuihua Dong
- Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan 250353, People's Republic of China
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21
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Heise K, Kontturi E, Allahverdiyeva Y, Tammelin T, Linder MB, Ikkala O. Nanocellulose: Recent Fundamental Advances and Emerging Biological and Biomimicking Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2004349. [PMID: 33289188 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202004349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the effort toward sustainable advanced functional materials, nanocelluloses have attracted extensive recent attention. Nanocelluloses range from rod-like highly crystalline cellulose nanocrystals to longer and more entangled cellulose nanofibers, earlier denoted also as microfibrillated celluloses and bacterial cellulose. In recent years, they have spurred research toward a wide range of applications, ranging from nanocomposites, viscosity modifiers, films, barrier layers, fibers, structural color, gels, aerogels and foams, and energy applications, until filtering membranes, to name a few. Still, nanocelluloses continue to show surprisingly high challenges to master their interactions and tailorability to allow well-controlled assemblies for functional materials. Rather than trying to review the already extensive nanocellulose literature at large, here selected aspects of the recent progress are the focus. Water interactions, which are central for processing for the functional properties, are discussed first. Then advanced hybrid gels toward (multi)stimuli responses, shape-memory materials, self-healing, adhesion and gluing, biological scaffolding, and forensic applications are discussed. Finally, composite fibers are discussed, as well as nanocellulose as a strategy for improvement of photosynthesis-based chemicals production. In summary, selected perspectives toward new directions for sustainable high-tech functional materials science based on nanocelluloses are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Heise
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Espoo, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Engineering of Biosynthetic Hybrid Materials Research, Aalto University, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Eero Kontturi
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Espoo, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Yagut Allahverdiyeva
- Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland
| | - Tekla Tammelin
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, VTT, PO Box 1000, FIN-02044, Espoo, Finland
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Espoo, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Engineering of Biosynthetic Hybrid Materials Research, Aalto University, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Olli Ikkala
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Espoo, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Engineering of Biosynthetic Hybrid Materials Research, Aalto University, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, Espoo, FI-00076, Finland
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22
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Meddeb AB, Chae I, Scurti F, Schwartz J, Kim SH, Ounaies Z. From a cholesteric non-aqueous cellulose nanocrystal suspension to a highly ordered film. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1557/adv.2020.404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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23
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Zhu B, Johansen VE, Kamita G, Guidetti G, Bay M, Parton TG, Frka-Petesic B, Vignolini S. Hyperspectral Imaging of Photonic Cellulose Nanocrystal Films: Structure of Local Defects and Implications for Self-Assembly Pathways. ACS NANO 2020; 14:15361-15373. [PMID: 33090776 PMCID: PMC7690050 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can spontaneously assemble into chiral nematic films capable of reflecting circularly polarized light in the visible range. As many other photonic materials obtained by bottom-up approaches, CNC films often display defects that greatly impact their visual appearance. Here, we study the optical response of defects in photonic CNC films, coupling optical microscopy with hyperspectral imaging, and we compare it to optical simulations of discontinuous cholesteric structures of increasing complexity. Cross-sectional SEM observations of the film structure guided the choice of simulation parameters and showed excellent agreement with experimental optical patterns. More importantly, it strongly suggests that the last fraction of CNCs to self-assemble, upon solvent evaporation, does not undergo the typical nucleation and growth pathway, but a spinodal decomposition, an alternative self-assembly pathway so far overlooked in cast films and that can have far-reaching consequences on choices of CNC sources and assembly conditions.
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24
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Frka-Petesic B, Kelly JA. Retrieving the Coassembly Pathway of Composite Cellulose Nanocrystal Photonic Films from their Angular Optical Response. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1906889. [PMID: 32249481 PMCID: PMC7116217 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201906889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are known to self-assemble into a chiral nematic liquid crystalline phase, leading to solid-state nanostructured colored films upon solvent evaporation, even in the presence of templating agents. The angular optical response of these structures, and therefore their visual appearance, are completely determined by the spatial arrangement of the CNCs when the drying suspension undergoes a transition from a flowing and liquid crystalline state to a kinetically arrested state. Here, it is demonstrated how the angular response of the final film allows for retrieval of key physical properties and the chemical composition of the suspension at the onset of the kinetic arrest, thus capturing a snapshot of the past. To illustrate this methodology, a dynamically evolving sol-gel coassembly process is investigated by adding various amounts of organosilica precursor, namely, 1,2-bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane. The influence of organosilica condensation on the kinetic arrest can be tracked and thus explains the angular response of the resulting films. The a posteriori and in situ approach is general; it can be applied to a variety of additives in CNC-based films and it allows access to key rheological information of the suspension without using any dedicated rheological technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Joel A. Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z1
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Zhu Q, Liu S, Sun J, Liu J, Kirubaharan CJ, Chen H, Xu W, Wang Q. Stimuli-responsive cellulose nanomaterials for smart applications. Carbohydr Polym 2020; 235:115933. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.115933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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From Equilibrium Liquid Crystal Formation and Kinetic Arrest to Photonic Bandgap Films Using Suspensions of Cellulose Nanocrystals. CRYSTALS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst10030199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystal phase developed by suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) has come increasingly into focus from numerous directions over the last few years. In part, this is because CNC suspensions are sustainably produced aqueous suspensions of a fully bio-derived nanomaterial with attractive properties. Equally important is the interesting and useful behavior exhibited by solid CNC films, created by drying a cholesteric-forming suspension. However, the pathway along which these films are realized, starting from a CNC suspension that may have low enough concentration to be fully isotropic, is more complex than often appreciated, leading to reproducibility problems and confusion. Addressing a broad audience of physicists, chemists, materials scientists and engineers, this Review focuses primarily on the physics and physical chemistry of CNC suspensions and the process of drying them. The ambition is to explain rather than to repeat, hence we spend more time than usual on the meanings and relevance of the key colloid and liquid crystal science concepts that must be mastered in order to understand the behavior of CNC suspensions, and we present some interesting analyses, arguments and data for the first time. We go through the development of cholesteric nuclei (tactoids) from the isotropic phase and their potential impact on the final dry films; the spontaneous CNC fractionation that takes place in the phase coexistence window; the kinetic arrest that sets in when the CNC mass fraction reaches ∼10 wt.%, preserving the cholesteric helical order until the film has dried; the ’coffee-ring effect’ active prior to kinetic arrest, often ruining the uniformity in the produced films; and the compression of the helix during the final water evaporation, giving rise to visible structural color in the films.
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Chan CLC, Bay MM, Jacucci G, Vadrucci R, Williams CA, van de Kerkhof GT, Parker RM, Vynck K, Frka-Petesic B, Vignolini S. Visual Appearance of Chiral Nematic Cellulose-Based Photonic Films: Angular and Polarization Independent Color Response with a Twist. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1905151. [PMID: 31736173 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201905151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a biocompatible cellulose derivative capable of self-assembling into a lyotropic chiral nematic phase in aqueous solution. This liquid crystalline phase reflects right-handed circular polarized light of a specific color as a function of the HPC weight fraction. Here, it is demonstrated that, by introducing a crosslinking agent, it is possible to drastically alter the visual appearance of the HPC mesophase in terms of the reflected color, the scattering distribution, and the polarization response, resulting in an exceptional matte appearance in solid-state films. By exploiting the interplay between order and disorder, a robust and simple methodology toward the preparation of polarization and angular independent color is developed, which constitutes an important step toward the development of real-world photonic colorants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Lam Clement Chan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Mélanie M Bay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Gianni Jacucci
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Roberto Vadrucci
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Cyan A Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Gea T van de Kerkhof
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Richard M Parker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Kevin Vynck
- Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences (LP2N), CNRS, IOGS, Univ. Bordeaux, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
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Narkevicius A, Steiner LM, Parker RM, Ogawa Y, Frka-Petesic B, Vignolini S. Controlling the Self-Assembly Behavior of Aqueous Chitin Nanocrystal Suspensions. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:2830-2838. [PMID: 31244020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
As with many other biosourced colloids, chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) can form liquid crystalline phases with chiral nematic ordering. In this work, we demonstrate that it is possible to finely tune the liquid crystalline behavior of aqueous ChNC suspensions finely. Such control was made possible by carefully studying how the hydrolysis conditions and suspension treatments affect the colloidal and self-assembly properties of ChNCs. Specifically, we systematically investigated the effects of duration and acidity of chitin hydrolysis required to extract ChNCs, as well as the effects of the tip sonication energy input, degree of acetylation, pH and ionic strength. Finally, we show that by controlled water evaporation, it is possible to retain and control the helicoidal ordering in dry films, leading to a hierarchical architecture analogous to that found in nature, e.g. in crab shells. We believe that this work serves as a comprehensive insight into ChNC preparation and handling which is required to unlock the full potential of this material in both a scientific and industrial context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurimas Narkevicius
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Lisa M Steiner
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Richard M Parker
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Yu Ogawa
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
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