Here we discuss ongoing research towards developing renewably-sourced and recyclable devices by utilizing the self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and their interactions with functional polymers. CNCs are naturally-abundant, bio-derived, rodlike nanoparticles with a high aspect ratio that give rise to liquid crystal phases. These bio-based liquid crystal systems can provide a basis for temperature-based sensors by grafting a thermoresponsive polymer from the particle surface or even serve as soft “templates” for enhanced ordering of water-soluble conjugated polymers. More recently, we have demonstrated the ability of polymer-grafted-CNCs to act as structure-directing agents for the semiconducting polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). CNCs were functionalized with either polystyrene, P3HT, or poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide) and were blended with P3HT in solution to study the effect on conjugated polymer self-assembly. The presence of polymer-grafted-CNCs resulted in an increase in P3HT semicrystalline aggregate formation due to unfavorable polymer-polymer interactions at the CNC surface and spatial confinement effects imposed by phase separation. Furthermore, films cast from the polymer-grafted-CNC/P3HT blends exhibited higher charge-carrier mobilities –in some cases a 6-fold increase- when tested in an organic field-effect transistor. These bio-derived particles constituted a significant volume (~30%) of the deposited P3HT thin films with an increase in performance, showing promise as a method for reducing costs and improving the recyclability of organic electronics.<br/>

Utilizing the organization of nanocellulose and semiconducting polymers towards next generation bio-based electronics

2019 Fall National Meeting

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