Polymeric Flaky Nanostructures from Cellulose Stearoyl Esters for Functional Surfaces

Abstract

Herein, the preparation of polymeric flaky nanostructures (PFNS) from cellulose stearoyl esters as a novel platform for functional materials is reported. A temperature-induced crystallization process using solutions of cellulose stearoyl esters with a degree of substitution of 3 (CSE 3 ) by decreasing the temperature from 55 °C to room temperature at a cooling rate of ≈1 °C min -1 is used. The molecular weights of CSE 3 , concentrations of polymer solutions, and cooling rates predominantly affect the formation of PFNS via this process. The PFNS are obtained as flakes within microsized flower-like particles or as organized patterns on diverse substrates (silicon wafers and glass fiber papers). The surface functional groups and surface roughness strongly affect the homogeneity and the amount of PFNS, allowing us to tune the structure of PFNS by varying these parameters. In particular, homogeneous flaky patterns of high amounts are formed on the surfaces containing aliphatic chains. By introducing sufficient amounts of flaky nanostructures on flat wafer surfaces or glass fibers within the glass fiber papers, superhydrophobic surfaces against diverse aqueous liquids and highly viscous glycerol are obtained. Thus, the formation of PFNS exhibits a robust and facile method for the fabrication of functional surfaces on diverse substrates.

Tuning the Chiral Structures from Self‐Assembled Carbohydrate Derivatives

“…Previously, Zhang's group reported a series of stearoyl esters modified cellulose as the building block for self-assembly into flower-like particles and polymeric flaky nanostructures. [53,54] Cellulose stearoyl esters with degrees of substitution of ≈3 were transformed into flower-like particles during the gradual precipitation of polymer chains, or through temperature-induced crystallization process into polymeric flaky nanostructures. As well, nanocrystalline cellulose after the surface esterification by long chain fatty acids, such as 10-undecenoyl chloride under heterogeneous conditions, were found to form helical fibers with the lengths of micrometers after solvent evaporation on silicon wafers, as illustrated in Figure 3c.…”

Fire‐Resistant Structural Material Enabled by an Anisotropic Thermally Conductive Hexagonal Boron Nitride Coating

“…Wood has been used to build structures such as bridges, house, towers, and furniture from ancient times to present day . Compared with the manufacturing processes of steel, concrete, and other construction materials, wood processing not only reduces the energy consumption but also results in a positive contribution to the carbon footprint due to its green and environmentally friendly characteristics . Despite these attractive features, wood still faces challenges in the modern construction industry because of its high fire risk.…”

Fabrication of the superhydrophobic natural cellulosic paper with different wettability and oil/water separation application

“…The pristine cellulose filter paper was immersed into the ethanol solution of stearic acid and then treated samples were dried in the oven. The quickly vaporization of ethanol induced the crystallization of stearic acid on the surface of cellulosic paper to construct rough surface crystal structures with low surface energy 50,51 . The morphologies of stearic acid modified cellulosic papers were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM).…”