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Updated: Aug 18, 2025
11:26
Towards Biomimicking Wood: Fabricated Free-standing Films of Nanocellulose, Lignin, and a Synthetic Polycation
Published on: June 17, 2014
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A cellulose-derived supramolecule for fast ion transport.
Qi Dong1, Xin Zhang1, Ji Qian1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Science Advances
|December 9, 2022
Summary
We developed a scalable, cost-effective method to create cellulose-derived supramolecules for ion transport. These materials exhibit high ionic conductivity, offering sustainable alternatives for advanced ion-conductive devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Supramolecular frameworks are explored for ion transport, but conventional methods face challenges in scalability, cost, and sustainability.
- Existing ion transport membranes often require large pores, limiting microstructural control and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable and cost-effective synthesis for cellulose-derived supramolecules for efficient ion transport.
- To investigate the ion-conducting properties of these novel supramolecular frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of cellulose-derived supramolecules (Na-CS) from various cellulose sources.
- Characterization of the 3D hierarchical crystalline structure with ångström-scale channels.
- Measurement of ionic conductivity in different conditions.
Main Results:
- Achieved high ionic conductivity (0.23 S/cm in 20 wt% NaOH at 25 °C) in a dense Na-CS microstructure.
- Demonstrated a scalable and cost-effective synthesis applicable to wood, cotton, paper, and ink.
- The material features massively aligned, 1D, ångström-scale open channels.
Conclusions:
- The novel Na-CS supramolecules offer a sustainable and efficient alternative for ion transport applications.
- The universal applicability to diverse cellulose sources highlights significant potential for ion-conductive membranes, ionic cables, and ionotronic devices.
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