Prof Dr Jin Huang

Southwest University, China

Mr. Jin Huang obtained Ph.D degree in Wuhan University, and serves as the full-professor in Southwest University (China). He carried out scientific research at Institute of Chemistry (CAS), Wuhan University of Technology, Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble. He focuses on "Polymer-Centered Soft-Matter Materials" and "Sustainable Chemistry and Materials" for biomass resources utilization, structure-function integration, etc. The research on "cellulose nanocrystals-based materials" achieved progress including high-performances strategies of nanocomposites, optical enhancement of non-conjugate assemblies, and ordered long-range promotion of asymmetrical porous materials. So far, he has published over 270 peer-reviewed papers, and edited 3 monographs and wrote 8 book chapters.

CELLULOSE NANOCRYSTAL MATERIALS INNOVATION: INDUSTRIALIZATION EXPLORATION ORIGINATED FROM FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH ON H-BONDS NETWORK AND MULTI-LEVEL ASYMMETRY

Huang Jin^a,b,* ,Lin Gan^a,*

^aSouthwest University,

^bShihezi University

Corresponding Author:huangjin@iccas.ac.cn, swucgl@swu.edu.cn

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have garnered significant attention due to unique 1D rod-like asymmetrical morphology highly crystallinity with inner dense H-bonds, and remarkable surface reactivity, laying the foundation for material innovation and industrialization. Moreover, their commendable biocompatibility, biodegradability and biomass-acquisition endeavor competitiveness in sustainability. We have been consistently exploring diverse strategies to propel the exploration of innovative materials centered around H-bonds network in CNCs, as well as multi-level asymmetry of nanoparticles, assembled arrays, and manufactured porous materials. Primarily, the repertoire of surface chemical modification techniques and controllability strategies for CNC has expanded significantly to consolidate the substance and structure basis of materials development. Beyond manipulating molecular structures and physicochemical properties, the methodology extends to spatial and functional effects-oriented "surface molecular engineering" depending upon rigid support and ordered active sites derived from crystalline with ordered chain arrangement; and, especially to overlay the molecular asymmetry level of functional groups distribution on the surface of asymmetrical rigid CNC rod. Therefore, combined with surface modification methods, the nanoparticle-level asymmetry of CNC contributes to specific cellular endocytosis for delivery carrier, curvature difference effect for magnetic and photothermal enhancement, etc., and achieves predominant mechanical enhancement with low loading-level percolation for “nanocomposite” materials. Integrated with H-bonds network, the asymmetry researches of CNC-based materials are advanced as uniaxial orientation array-level for structural monochrome of “assembly” materials, and as orientation and negative Poisson's ratio macroscopic porous-level for electromechanical conversion elevation of constructing long-range order in “manufacturing” materials. These endeavors collectively serve as the cornerstone for the imperative integration of CNCs in industrial products. In summary, our investigations have not only shed light on the exceptional properties of cellulose nanocrystals but have also facilitated the emergence of cutting-edge methodologies for their utilization in diverse industrial applications.

Keywords: Cellulose Nanocrystals, Asymmetry, H-bonds network, Materials Innovation, Industrialization Exploration

References

1. Li, S; Liu, C.; Chen, W.; Huang, J.; Gan, L. Adv. Funct. Mater., 2025, 2418425.

2. Shi, Z.; Yang, D.; Zhou, Y.; Chen, X.; Gan, L.; Huang, J. Carbohydr. Polym., 2024, 324, 121539.