Supramolecular interactions on nanocrystals (e.g. cellulose) to improve mechanical properties of polymers

纤维素是一种天然存在的非常常见的多糖，具有巨大的氢键和功能化潜力。原料来源对于提取的纤维素结构、形态、纵横比、异形体和其他性质是重要的。在表征、分析和最终官能化和掺入聚合物基质之前，将从各种来源（如可可荚壳或被囊动物）进行提取。官能化将是确保聚合物体系相容性的关键，因为纤维素本身是亲水性的。将研究功能化过程赋予的相互作用，以改善，定制和潜在地创建刺激响应特性。所选择的聚合物基质将努力在性质上是可持续的。这就是：生物基础;可再生的（非石油基的）;可生物降解的;环境友好的;或列出的那些的组合（如PLA、PCL或生物（PE））。个人目标是扩大和发展关于可持续塑料未来的知识，使用天然/可再生材料，以取代目前应用中使用的来自不可再生来源的材料。

Cellulose is a naturally occurring and extremely common polysaccharide with huge hydrogen bonding and functionalisation potential. The raw source is important with respect to the extracted cellulose structure, morphology, aspect ratio, allomorph, and other properties. Extraction will occur from various sources (such as cocoa pod husk or tunicates) prior to characterisation, analysis, and eventual functionalisation and incorporation into polymer matrices. Functionalisation will be key to ensuring compatibility in polymer systems, as cellulose is inherently hydrophilic. The interactions the functionalisation process imparts will be studied in an effort to improve, tailor, and potentially create stimuli responsive properties. The polymer matrices chosen will endeavour to be sustainable in nature. That being: bio based; renewable (non-petroleum based); biodegradable; environmentally friendly; or a combination of those listed (such as PLA, PCL, or bio(PE)). A personal aim is to broaden and develop the knowledge on a sustainable plastics future, using natural/renewable materials, to replace those used in current applications that are derived from non-renewable sources.