The characteristic self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can be altered by shearing aqueous CNC suspensions at different conditions. After complete evaporation, an increase in the CNC alignment is obtained in the shear direction, and determined via Herman's order parameter based on 2D-XRD signals. Thermomechanical properties, such as coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), of the CNC films are explored as a function of orientation. Depending on CNC alignment, bulk CNC films range from CTEs typical of ceramic to polymeric materials. Evaluating the magnitude of film CTEs relative to those of individual CNC crystals suggests that the interfaces between crystals also play a role in thermal expansion. Because of its biorenewable nature, alignment capabilities, and property directionality, the use of bulk CNCs could be easily extended to numerous applications in fields like nanocomposites, organic electronics or biomaterials.

Tunable thermal expansion via orientation of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) films

246th National Meeting (2013)

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