Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Preparation of Expanded Chitin Foams and their Use in the Removal of Aqueous Copper
Published on: February 27, 2021
Super-Macroporous Lightweight Materials Templated from Bicontinuous Intra-Phase Jammed Emulsion Gels Based on
Yi Lu1, Milad Kamkar1,2, Shasha Guo1
1Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2385 Agronomy Rd & East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
Abstract:
Non-equilibrium multiphase systems are formed by mixing two immiscible nanoparticle dispersions, leading to bicontinuous emulsions that template cryogels with interconnected, tortuous channels. Herein, a renewable, rod-like biocolloid (chitin nanocrystals, ChNC) is used to kinetically arrest bicontinuous morphologies. Specifically, it is found that ChNC stabilizes intra-phase jammed bicontinuous systems at an ultra-low particle concentration (as low as 0.6 wt.%), leading to tailorable morphologies. The synergistic effects of ChNC high aspect ratio, intrinsic stiffness, and interparticle interactions produce hydrogelation and, upon drying, lead to open channels bearing dual characteristic sizes, suitably integrated into robust bicontinuous ultra-lightweight solids. Overall, it demonstrates the successful formation of ChNC-jammed bicontinuous emulsions and a facile emulsion templating route to synthesize chitin cryogels that form unique super-macroporous networks.
