Cellulose, the most abundant naturally-occurring polymer, can be found in plants in the form of a bundle of nanofibrils, where elongated crystalline domains are parted from disordered regions. If one removes the disordered regions by acid hydrolysis, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are obtained. In the form of stable aqueous suspension, cellulose nanocrystals self-assemble into a liquid crystalline (LC) phase giving rise to structures with tuneable structural coloration and originate an array of biomimetic materials. The chemical versatility of cellulose also leads to a well-known variety of derivatives that can originate LC phases. This feature will impart distinct and interesting properties to the final product but is less exploited in the production of new materials. In this small overview, the use of cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose derivatives on engineering materials are shown in which LC properties have an important role. For instance, all-cellulosic composite systems of hydroxipropylcellulose and CNCs can give rise to biomimetic diffraction gratings with anisotropic mechanical properties and the same cellulose derivative can be used to produce a cellulose liquid crystal motor. Multi-photoresponsive surfaces with opposite wettability can be produced from the thermotropic cellulosic derivative acetoxypropylcellulose. While films obtained from an isotropic suspension of CNC can be used as gate dielectric and substrate on field effect transistors, if originated from the LC suspension, the structurally colored films can be used as micrometric circularly polarized light sensors. If these colorful films present microgaps in its cross-section and are infiltrated with a nematic liquid crystal a system capable of presenting tunable reflection of left- and right-handed circularly polarized light is achieved<i>. </i>These examples can open new horizons for the application of these renewable materials.<br/>

Cellulose derivatives and nanocrystals and their liquid crystalline properties: exploitation for engineering materials

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.