Multiple anisotropy of cellulose nanocrystals self-organized into disc-shaped particles.

Mouri, Emiko; Noma, Kenta; Hirayama, Keito; Iwahisa, Ryohei; Azuma, Satsuki; Nakato, Teruyuki · Soft Matter · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We fabricated a disc-shaped particulate composite based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) <i>via</i> a self-organized precipitation method. The disc-shaped particles had a structure with CNCs segregated in the outer region. The disc-shaped particulate composite also shows a higher refractive index in the direction perpendicular to the disc surface. This means that this particle system has "double" anisotropy: spatially and optically. Moreover, the disc orientation can be manipulated by the application of AC.