Nature provides paradigms for next-generation high performance nanocomposites. Wood, nacre, bone, and crustacean cuticles are classical examples of lightweight, strong, stiff and tough nature materials, which inspire the pursuit of highly reinforced nanocomposites employing sophisticated hierarchical architectures ranging from molecular via nano/mesoscopic to macroscopic scales. Mechanical properties in natural materials can change on demand according to outside needs, or in response to different stress scenarios. To this end, reversible, switchable, sacrificial or cryptic bonds are important tools for on-demand changes in mechanical properties, or for engineering combinations of stiffness and toughness.<br/><br/>In this talk I will discuss the engineering of sacrificial bonds in bioinspired self-assembled nanocellulose nanocomposites, and will highlight how their reversible nature can be used to make adaptive materials that can respond to external triggers such as light or electricity. Additionally, I will discuss how vitrimers – an emergent class of polymers with associative dynamic covalent bonds – need to be designed to suit the needs of nanocellulose materials. As an outlook towards advanced functional materials, I will also highlight how to make degradable lasers based on self-assembling nanocellulose materials.

Molecular engineering in nanocellulose materials: From vitrimers to adaptive materials and lasers

ACS Spring 2022

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