The use of 2-dimensional morphological patterns has become more frequent in applications such as transistors, memory devices, optoelectronic materials and model systems among many others. Cellulose has the potential of being utilized in the formation of 2-dimensional morphological patterns. At present, however, studies on this topic are scarce.Using Langmuir-Schaefer deposition, we demonstrate the effect of substrate on the morphology of cellulose monolayer films (regenerated from trimethylsilyl cellulose). The effects of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica substrates were examined and through the use of atomic force microscopy, clear morphological differences were observed. The hydrophobic substrate induced the emergence of nanoscale tree-like patterns, unprecedented with cellulose and more familiar with crystallizable synthetic polymers such as polyethylene oxide.  Unexpectedly with such patterns, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction showed no evidence of long range atomic order.

Surface-induced growth of 2D nanoscale patterns of cellulose

245th National Meeting (2013)

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