Morphology and dynamics of biomacromolecules at interfaces
Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) as a novel type of biomacromolecules have attracted attention as a biological alternative for the stabilization of air−water (A/W) and oil−water (O/W) interfaces, allowing the creation of cellulose-based colloidal materials. These materials offer a wide range of applications, such as lightweight aerogels with insulating or fire-retardant properties, oil adsorbents, paper-based energy storage devices, or biocompatible encapsulation systems.
However, adsorption kinetics, interfacial structure, and mechanical properties of adsorbed NCC/CNF layers are mostly unknown due to the current inability to form reproducible NCC/CNF layers required for interfacial thin film techniques. This stresses the need for finding suitable parameters and methods for the formation and characterization of the investigated interfacial layers. The formation of viscoelastic networks made of globular proteins at fluid interfaces have also come into focus.
In the framework of this project, adsorption was studied depending on NCC/CNF concentration and salt-induced charge screening. The interfacial morphology was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and neutron reflectometry while dynamic and mechanical properties of pure NCC and composite layers were investigated by Wilhelmy-plate technology and interfacial shear rheology.