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Related Concept Videos

Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides01:15

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 Every plant cell has a cell wall that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives the cell shape. Cellulose, the main structural component of the plant cell wall, makes up over 30% of plant matter. It is the most abundant organic compound on earth.  Cellulose is an unbranched polysaccharide composed of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by β (1→4) glycosidic bonds.
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The multi-protein complex photosystem II (PS II) harvests photons and transfers their energy through its bound pigments to its reaction center, and ultimately to photosystem I (PSI) through the electron transport chain. The pigments responsible for caputirng the light energy in photosystems include chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids.
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High Resolution Quantification of Crystalline Cellulose Accumulation in Arabidopsis Roots to Monitor Tissue-specific Cell Wall Modifications
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Cellulose photonic pigments.

Richard M Parker1, Tianheng H Zhao1, Bruno Frka-Petesic1

  • 1Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.

Nature Communications
|June 13, 2022
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a substrate-free method to create vibrant, angle-independent cellulose photonic pigments. This sustainable approach uses self-assembly within microdroplets for scalable production of colorful microparticles.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • Nature inspires sustainable photonic structures and materials.
  • Biomaterials show promise for photonic applications, but fabrication is limited to small-scale films.
  • Scalable production of bio-inspired photonic materials is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a scalable, substrate-free method for producing structurally colored cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) microparticles.
  • To investigate the self-assembly and buckling mechanisms for creating vibrant photonic pigments.
  • To achieve angle-independent color in coatings derived from these pigments.

Main Methods:

  • Confined self-assembly of cholesteric cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspension within emulsified microdroplets.
  • Substrate-free fabrication process.
  • Drying, buckling events, and solvent or thermal post-treatment of microdroplets.

Main Results:

  • Production of vibrant red, green, and blue cellulose photonic pigments as microparticle dispersions.
  • Microdroplet buckling allows for greater nanostructure contraction than spherical predictions.
  • Hierarchical pigment structure enables deposition of coatings with angular independent color.

Conclusions:

  • A novel substrate-free method successfully produces scalable, vibrant cellulose photonic pigments.
  • The developed pigments offer consistent, angle-independent color for diverse coating applications.
  • This approach provides a sustainable pathway for bio-inspired photonic material fabrication.