|
|||||
|
|
Super-Macroporous Lightweight Materials Templated from Bicontinuous Intra-Phase Jammed Emulsion Gels Based on Nanochitin (Small 39/2023) |
|
| Authors: | Yi Lu Milad Kamkar Shasha Guo Xun Niu Zhangmin Wan Junhua Xu Xiaoya Su Yimin Fan Long Bai Orlando J Rojas |
| Affiliation: | 1. Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2385 Agronomy Rd & East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada;2. Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2385 Agronomy Rd & East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada
Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1 Canada;3. Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2385 Agronomy Rd & East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, No.159 Longpan Road, 210037 Nanjing, China;4. Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, No.159 Longpan Road, 210037 Nanjing, China;5. Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040 China;6. Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2385 Agronomy Rd & East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, 02150 Finland |
| Abstract: | Non-equilibrium multiphase systems are formed by mixing two immiscible nanoparticle dispersions, leading to bicontinuous emulsions that template cryogels with interconnected, tortuous channels. Herein, a renewable, rod-like biocolloid (chitin nanocrystals, ChNC) is used to kinetically arrest bicontinuous morphologies. Specifically, it is found that ChNC stabilizes intra-phase jammed bicontinuous systems at an ultra-low particle concentration (as low as 0.6 wt.%), leading to tailorable morphologies. The synergistic effects of ChNC high aspect ratio, intrinsic stiffness, and interparticle interactions produce hydrogelation and, upon drying, lead to open channels bearing dual characteristic sizes, suitably integrated into robust bicontinuous ultra-lightweight solids. Overall, it demonstrates the successful formation of ChNC-jammed bicontinuous emulsions and a facile emulsion templating route to synthesize chitin cryogels that form unique super-macroporous networks. |
| Keywords: | bicontinuous emulsion colloids jamming macroporous materials nanochitin |