Novel Electrically Conductive Cellulose Nanocrystals with a Core-Shell Nanostructure Towards Biodegradable...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Electronic waste (e-waste) poses significant environmental and health risks due to toxic and non-biodegradable components.
• Bio-based materials are explored as sustainable alternatives in electronics, with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) offering biodegradability and high mechanical strength.
• Native CNCs are electrically insulating, limiting their application in conductive electronic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop electrically conductive cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by creating a conductive polymer shell.
• To functionalize CNCs with a poly(o-toluidine)-like material to enhance their electrical properties for electronic applications.

Main Methods:

• Carbamation of CNCs using 2,4-toluene diisocyanate.
• Hydrolysis of ortho-isocyanates to amine groups followed by polymerization with ammonium persulfate to form a conductive shell.
• Characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy.

Main Results:

• Successful chemical modification and polymerization confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses.
• Preservation of the native crystalline structure of CNCs after shell formation.
• Achieved electrical conductivity of 0.46 S/cm in the modified CNCs.

Conclusions:

• Novel electrically conductive CNCs were synthesized by coating with a poly(o-toluidine)-like shell.
• The modified CNCs retain their structural integrity while gaining electrical conductivity.
• These conductive CNCs show promise for applications in electronics, sensing, and medicine.