Transforming Nanocellulose Performance through Interfacial Engineering

由于科学的驱动力和社会的需要，更环保的产品，拟议的研究计划的重点是从可再生资源开发新材料。具体来说，它的目的是通过界面工程来改变纤维素纳米晶体（CNCs）的性能，这将扩大加拿大林业新兴材料的应用范围。通过与工业界的密切联系，我们将阐明颗粒化学和功能之间的联系，重点是赋予对商业产品至关重要的新特性。这项研究对于在加拿大战略工业中广泛使用纳米纤维素至关重要，包括麦克马斯特生物界面，布罗克豪斯和制造研究所的最先进设施： 1.“为极热绿色定制CNC”及其尺寸、形状和结晶度非常适合流变和机械控制。该项目的研究结果将破译稳定性机制，并允许在工业CNC生产过程中进行微小的改变，以提高材料性能，从而将CNC带入能源/建筑行业。 2.开发自动粘附聚合物到CNC的设计规则。食品、药品和家用产品的液体配方可以通过添加CNC得到改善，CNC比单独使用表面活性剂或聚合物更能稳定界面和控制粘度。了解聚合物对CNC的吸附将导致CNC乳液、凝胶和泡沫的可定制性。 3.组装CNC集群-先进流变控制的新材料。少量的各向异性颗粒提供上级流变控制;油墨、粘合剂和生物医学设备中的CNC接近商业化，然而，在一些市场中，由于长期暴露的安全性证据不足，不鼓励使用纳米颗粒。这项工作将通过将CNCs交联成簇来控制颗粒组装，以拓宽“非纳米”应用。 这个多样化的计划涵盖从化学到工程，可以弥合CNC生产商，研发和新技术的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一流的培训提供了众多机会。

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.