Transforming Nanocellulose Performance through Interfacial Engineering

由于科学的驱动力和社会对更环保产品的需求，拟议的研究计划侧重于从可再生资源中开发新材料。具体地说，它的目标是通过界面工程改变纤维素纳米晶(CNCS)的性能，这将扩大一种新兴的加拿大材料在森林工业中的应用范围。通过与业界的密切联系，我们将阐明颗粒化学和功能性之间的联系，重点是赋予对商业产品至关重要的新特性。这项研究对于使纳米纤维素在加拿大战略工业中得到广泛使用至关重要，这些工业包括麦克马斯特生物接口公司、布罗克豪斯公司和制造研究所的纸浆g最先进的设施： 1.为极热绿色量身定做碳纳米管“其尺寸、形状和结晶度非常有利于流变学和机械控制。该项目的发现将破译稳定机制，并允许在工业数控生产过程中进行小的改变，以改善材料性能，从而将CNCS引入能源/建筑部门。 2.制定CNCS自动粘接聚合物的设计规则。添加CNCS可以改善食品、药品和家居产品的液体配方，与单独使用表面活性剂或聚合物相比，CNCS可以更好地稳定界面和控制粘度。了解聚合物对碳纳米管的吸附将导致数控乳液、凝胶和泡沫的可裁剪性。 3.组装数控集群-先进流变学控制的新材料少量的各向异性颗粒提供了卓越的流变性控制；墨水、粘合剂和生物医学设备中的碳纳米管接近商业化，然而，在一些市场上，由于没有足够的证据证明长期暴露的安全性，因此不鼓励使用纳米颗粒。这项工作将通过将碳纳米管交联成簇状来控制颗粒组装，以拓宽“非纳米”应用。 这一多样化的项目涵盖了从化学到工程的各个领域，可以弥合新技术的数控生产商、研发人员和商业接受者之间的差距。它为先进材料设计和表征方面的创新突破和世界级培训提供了无数机会。

Due to the scientific drive and social necessity for more environmentally friendly products, the proposed research program focuses on developing novel materials from renewable resources. Specifically, it aims to transform the performance of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) through interfacial engineering which will extend the range of applications for an emerging Canadian material from the forest industry. Through close contact with industry, we will elucidate the links between particle chemistry and functionality with an emphasis on imparting new properties which are crucial for commercial products. This research is essential to enable widespread use of nanocellulose in strategic Canadian industries, including pulp g state-of-the-art facilities in McMaster's Biointerfaces, Brockhouse and Manufacturing Research Institutes: 1. Tailoring CNCs for Extreme Thermal green” and their size, shape, and crystallinity lend well to rheological and mechanical control. Findings from this project will decipher stability mechanisms and allow for small changes during industrial CNC production to improve material performance thus bringing CNCs to the energy/construction sector. 2. Developing Design Rules for Auto-adhering Polymers to CNCs. Liquid formulations for food, pharmaceutical and household products can be improved through the addition of CNCs which stabilize interfaces and control viscosity better than surfactants or polymers alone. Understanding polymer adsorption to CNCs will lead to tailorability of CNC emulsions, gels and foams. 3. Assembling CNC Clusters a New Material for Advanced Rheological Control. Small quantities of anisotropic particles offer superior rheological control; CNCs in inks, adhesives, and biomedical devices are close to commercialization, however, in some markets the use of nanoparticles is discouraged due to insufficient evidence of safety with long-term exposure. This work will control particle assembly by crosslinking CNCs into clusters to broaden “non-nano” applications. This diverse program spans from chemistry to engineering and can bridge gaps between CNC producers, R&D and commercial receptors of new technology. It provides numerous opportunities for innovative breakthroughs and world-class training in advanced material design & characterization.