Liquid crystal hydroglass formed via phase separation of nanocellulose colloidal rods

Abstract

A new anisotropic soft material – a liquid crystal ‘hydroglass’ (LCH) – is created from aqueous suspensions of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) colloidal rods. Under specific conditions, the NCC suspension separates into a colloid-rich attractive glass matrix phase and a coexisting liquid crystal phase. LCH provides similar viscoelastic properties to polymer and colloidal gels, but permits reversibly-orientating the colloidal rods through shear forces.