(465c) Engineering Functional Materials from Cellulose Nanocrystals By Exploring Their Structure and Property Relationships

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) films possess chiral nematic structure by virtue of its chiral nematic self-assembly and therefore exhibits iridescence or structural color. Although, the structural color has been exploited for various application, it also restricts CNC’s applications in packaging or coating industry where transparency is a prime factor.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the combined effect of different electrolyte addition and mechanical force alignment on CNC structure and properties. We found that particle order parameter of CNC increased from 0.32 to as high as 0.90 under the combined effect of electrolyte addition and mechanical force at a very low speed of 50 mm/sec. The scope of this study also includes comprehensive analysis of CNC structure and properties such as crystallinity, mechanical, optical, electrical, rheological, and barrier properties.