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pH-Responsive Cellulose Nanocrystal Gels and Nanocomposites
Amanda E Way1, Lorraine Hsu1, Kadhiravan Shanmuganathan1
1Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 2100 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States.
ACS Macro Letters
|May 24, 2022
Summary
Functionalizing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with amine or carboxylic acid groups creates pH-responsive materials. These CNCs can transition between dispersions and hydrogels, and form adaptive nanocomposite films.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are sustainable nanomaterials with tunable properties.
- Developing stimuli-responsive materials is crucial for advanced applications.
- Surface functionalization offers a pathway to control CNC behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer pH-responsive cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs).
- To investigate the pH-dependent behavior of functionalized CNCs.
- To create mechanically adaptive nanocomposite films using these CNCs.
Main Methods:
- Surface functionalization of CNCs with carboxylic acid (CNC-CO2H) and amine (CNC-NH2) groups.
- Characterization of CNC dispersions and hydrogel formation across a pH range.
- Incorporation of functionalized CNCs into a poly(vinyl acetate) matrix.
Main Results:
- Amine-functionalized CNCs (CNC-NH2) disperse at low pH and form hydrogels at high pH.
- Carboxylic acid-functionalized CNCs (CNC-CO2H) show inverse behavior, forming gels at low pH.
- pH-responsive nanocomposite films with tunable mechanical properties were successfully fabricated.
Conclusions:
- Surface chemistry dictates the pH-responsive behavior of CNCs.
- Functionalized CNCs offer a versatile platform for creating smart materials.
- Nanocomposite films exhibit pH-dependent mechanical adaptability.
