Transforming Nanocellulose Performance through Interfacial Engineering

由于对更环保产品的科学驱动和社会需求，拟议的研究项目侧重于从可再生资源中开发新型材料。具体来说，它旨在通过界面工程改变纤维素纳米晶体（cnc）的性能，这将扩大来自森林工业的新兴加拿大材料的应用范围。通过与工业界的密切接触，我们将阐明颗粒化学和功能之间的联系，重点是传授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的战略工业中广泛使用至关重要，包括纸浆生物界面，布罗克豪斯和制造研究所。为“极热绿色”定制cnc及其尺寸，形状和结晶度适合流变学和机械控制。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。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比单独的表面活性剂或聚合物更好地稳定界面和控制粘度的cnc来改进。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。装配数控簇：先进流变控制的新材料。少量的各向异性颗粒提供了优越的流变控制；纳米颗粒在油墨、粘合剂和生物医学设备中的应用已接近商业化，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cnc交联成簇来控制颗粒组装，以扩大“非纳米”应用。这个多样化的项目涵盖了从化学到工程的各个领域，可以弥合CNC生产商、研发人员和新技术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许多机会。

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 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.