Projects per year
Abstract
Here, we describe the all-aqueous bicontinuous emulsions with cholesteric liquid crystal domains through hierarchical colloidal self-assembly of nanoparticles. This is achieved by homogenization of a rod-like cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) with two immiscible, phase separating polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran polymer solutions. The dispersed CNCs exhibit unequal affinity for the binary polymer mixtures that depends on the balance of osmotic and chemical potential between the two phases. Once at the critical concentration, CNC particles are constrained within one component of the polymer phases and self-assemble into a cholesteric organization. The obtained liquid crystal emulsion demonstrates a confined three-dimensional percolating bicontinuous network with cholesteric self-assembly of CNC within the PEG phase; meanwhile, the nanoparticles in the dextran phase remain isotropic instead. Our results provide an alternative way to arrest bicontinuous structures through intraphase trapping and assembling of nanoparticles, which is a viable and flexible route to extend for a wide range of colloidal systems.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 367-376 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Biomacromolecules |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 8 Dec 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 9 Jan 2023 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
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Dive into the research topics of 'All-Aqueous Bicontinuous Structured Liquid Crystal Emulsion through Intraphase Trapping of Cellulose Nanoparticles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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CPCP/Chu Guang: More than Paper: Cellulose Printing for Custom-tailored Photonics
Chu, G. (Principal investigator)
01/01/2021 → 31/12/2023
Project: Other external funding: Other foreign funding
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BioELCell: Bioproducts Engineered from Lignocelluloses: from plants and upcycling to next generation materials
Rojas, O. (Principal investigator)
30/07/2018 → 31/07/2023
Project: EU: ERC grants