The conversion of nanocellulose into solvent-free nanoscale liquid crystals by attaching long side-arms for multi-responsive optical materials

Qiaoyun Cheng, Pan Chen, Dongdong Ye, Junmei Wang, Guangjie Song, Junjie Liu, Zhiquan Chen, Lingyun Chen, Qi Zhou*, Chunyu Chang*, Lina Zhang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nanocellulose, with its unique optical and chemical properties, has received increasing attention as feedstock to fabricate sustainable materials. However, achieving a nanocellulose-based solvent-free liquid crystal with good responsiveness still remains a challenge. Herein, for the first time, solvent-free supramolecular liquid crystals were fabricated by attaching long side-arms on the fiber-like nanocellulose derived from tunicate (TCNC) with an average width of 20 nm and 400-3000 nm in length. The side-arms were grafted via surface condensation with a charged organosilane, followed by further functionalization with a counter-ion polyoxyethylene ether. The nanoscale liquid crystals consisted of the stiff TCNC as the core and flexible side-arms as the soft shells, forming the core-shell structure with an average width of 34-36 nm. The resulting solvent-free liquid crystal exhibited transparent and viscous liquid-like fluidity, as well as a bright birefringence between the crossed polarizers at room temperature. In our findings, the stiff core provided crystal-like ordering, whereas the soft shells induced the high mobility of the TCNCs as a result of the increased fractional free volume, as shown by positron annihilation lifetime spectra. The unique flowability enables the possibility of multi-responsiveness to temperature, deformation, and alternating electric fields. In addition, the thermo-responsiveness can be regulated by tailoring the canopy. This work provides a novel strategy for the conversion of solid nanocellulose into a solvent-free nanoscale liquid crystal, which is promising for use as a responsive optical material.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11022-11031
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C
Volume8
Issue number32
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Aug 2020
Externally publishedYes

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Cheng, Q., Chen, P., Ye, D., Wang, J., Song, G., Liu, J., Chen, Z., Chen, L., Zhou, Q., Chang, C., & Zhang, L. (2020). The conversion of nanocellulose into solvent-free nanoscale liquid crystals by attaching long side-arms for multi-responsive optical materials. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 8(32), 11022-11031. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0tc02059a