Multi-stimuli-responsive photonics films based on chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystals

Yahui Meng; Zhibin He; Cuihua Dong; Zhu Long

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118756

Multi-stimuli-responsive photonics films based on chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystals

Carbohydr Polym. 2022 Feb 1:277:118756. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118756. Epub 2021 Oct 27.

Authors

Yahui Meng¹, Zhibin He², Cuihua Dong³, Zhu Long⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Environmental and Nature Resources, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
² Limerick Pulp and Paper Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5A3, Canada.
³ Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan 250353, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China. Electronic address: longzhu@jiangnan.edu.cn.

PMID: 34893211
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118756

Abstract

Multiple-stimuli-responsive bio-based materials have received considerable attention for intelligent packaging and anti-counterfeiting applications. Herein, we present a unique biobased photonics film with multi-stimuli responsive behavior based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), sorbitol (S) and anthocyanin (Anth). The resulting photonics film exhibits multi-stimuli responsive behavior to humidity, solvent and pH stimuli. Notably, the photonics film showed dramatic invertible color from blue to fuchsia and high sensitivity at a relative humidity from 50% to 100%. Moreover, the photonics film exhibited fast response and good reversibility under different ethanol concentrations. Significant color changes of the photonics film were also observed in response to pH change in the range of 2 to 12. Particularly, the humidity, solvent and pH responsiveness of the photonics film did not interfere with each other.

Keywords: Anthocyanin; Cellulose nanocrystal; Multi-stimuli responsive; Sorbitol.