Electrostatically crosslinked cellulose nanocrystal and polyelectrolyte complex sponges with pH responsiveness

Mor Boas, Patrick Martin, Gleb Vasilyev, Jong Gun Lee, Rita Vilensky, Chengzhang Xu, Andreas Greiner, Eyal Zussman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This work focuses on the development of a responsive sponge made of an anionic cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) skeleton that is electrostatically crosslinked by a pH-responsive poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polyelectrolyte complex (PEC). The results prove the formation of a global percolated network comprised of disordered CNC rods crosslinked by PEC clusters. The bulk density of the freeze-dried CNC-PEC sponges increases from 35 to 93 mg/cm3 with PEC concentration, while the compression modulus of dry specimens increases from 7 up to 62 kPa. At the lowest PEC concentration of 1 wt%, at pH 2.0, the compression modulus decreases to 0.9 kPa, whereas at pH 5.5, it increases to 42 kPa. The intensive complexation between sponge constituents is also reflected in a reduced ability to bind charged dyes at neutral pH values. Decreasing the pH results in an increased adsorption efficiency for anionic dyes, while raising the pH improves the cationic dye adsorption.

Original languageEnglish
Article number118131
JournalCarbohydrate Polymers
Volume266
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Aerogel
  • Cellulose nanocrystal
  • Freeze-drying
  • Polyelectrolyte complex
  • Sponge

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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