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Chiral self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals is driven by crystallite bundles

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas G. Parton

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Richard M. Parker

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Gea T. Kerkhof

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Aurimas Narkevicius

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Johannes S. Haataja

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Bruno Frka-Petesic

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Silvia Vignolini

    (University of Cambridge)

Abstract

The transfer of chirality across length-scales is an intriguing and universal natural phenomenon. However, connecting the properties of individual building blocks to the emergent features of their resulting large-scale structure remains a challenge. In this work, we investigate the origins of mesophase chirality in cellulose nanocrystal suspensions, whose self-assembly into chiral photonic films has attracted significant interest. By correlating the ensemble behaviour in suspensions and films with a quantitative morphological analysis of the individual nanoparticles, we reveal an inverse relationship between the cholesteric pitch and the abundance of laterally-bound composite particles. These ‘bundles’ thus act as colloidal chiral dopants, analogous to those used in molecular liquid crystals, providing the missing link in the hierarchical transfer of chirality from the molecular to the colloidal scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas G. Parton & Richard M. Parker & Gea T. Kerkhof & Aurimas Narkevicius & Johannes S. Haataja & Bruno Frka-Petesic & Silvia Vignolini, 2022. "Chiral self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals is driven by crystallite bundles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-30226-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30226-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Simone Dussi & Marjolein Dijkstra, 2016. "Entropy-driven formation of chiral nematic phases by computer simulations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, September.
    2. Ivan Usov & Gustav Nyström & Jozef Adamcik & Stephan Handschin & Christina Schütz & Andreas Fall & Lennart Bergström & Raffaele Mezzenga, 2015. "Understanding nanocellulose chirality and structure–properties relationship at the single fibril level," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-11, November.
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