Hierarchical Assembly of Nanocellulose-Based Filaments by Interfacial Complexation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Cellulose-based materials are abundant and sustainable.
• Fabricating continuous nanocellulose fibers with hierarchical structures is challenging.
• Existing methods often require harsh conditions or lack scalability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel aqueous-based method for fabricating continuous nanocellulose filaments.
• To utilize interfacial complexation of oppositely charged cellulose nanomaterials.
• To demonstrate the versatility of interfacial nanoparticle complexation (INC) for nanomaterial fabrication.

Main Methods:

• Interfacial complexation spinning of cationic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with anionic celluloses (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, oxidized cellulose nanofibers, dicarboxylated cellulose nanocrystals - DC-CNC).
• Fabrication performed under aqueous conditions.
• Morphological investigation using optical and electron microscopy.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated hierarchical and continuous nanocellulose-based filaments.
• Filaments exhibited a hierarchical structure mimicking natural cellulose fibers.
• Demonstrated the first fabrication of nanocellulose filaments via interfacial complexation of cationic CNCs with anionic celluloses.
• Showcased the first continuous fiber fabrication from oppositely charged nanoparticles using INC.

Conclusions:

• Interfacial nanoparticle complexation (INC) is a viable method for creating continuous nanocellulose filaments.
• The INC approach provides a new route for designing continuous filaments from various oppositely charged nanoparticles.
• This method offers a sustainable and efficient pathway for advanced nanomaterial production.