CONDUCTIVE CELLULOSE NANOCRYSTALS, METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME AND USES THEREOF
The present disclosure provides a core-shell nanocomposite material comprising an intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) and surface-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as well as synthesis for preparing same and its use thereof in various applications.
1 . A composite having a core-shell arrangement, said composite comprising cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) as the core, a first layer comprising at least one surface agent in contact with said CNC and a second layer comprising at least one intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) in contact with said surface agent.
2 . The composite of claim 1 , wherein said surface agent is an amphiphilic agent.
3 . The composite of claim 1 , wherein said surface agent is poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), poly(N,N-dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMA). poly(N,N-dimethyl acrylamide) (GTMAC), Polyethylenimine(PEI), or poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP).
4 . The composite of claim 1 , wherein said ICP is polypyrrole, polyaniline, polyindole, polythiophene, poly(3-methylthiophene, poly(N-methyl aniline), or poly(o-toluidine).
5 . The composite of claim 1 , wherein a mass ratio of the surface agent/CNC is from about 5/100 to about 100/100.
6 . A process for preparing a composite having a core-shell arrangement, said composite comprising cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) as the core, a first layer comprising at least one surface agent in contact with said CNC and a second layer comprising at least one intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) in contact with said surface agent;
said process comprising;
dispersing the cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) in a solution;
mixing the CNC solution and at least one surface agent to cause adsorption of said surface agent on the CNC surface and form said first layer;
adding at least one monomer of said intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) and polymerizing said monomer to form said second layer in contact with said first layer comprising the surface agent; and
isolating said composite.
7 . The process of claim 6 , wherein said surface agent is poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), poly(N,N-dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMA), poly(N,N-dimethyl acrylamide) (GTMAC), Polyethylenimine(PEI), or poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP).
8 . The process of claim 6 , wherein said ICP is polypyrrole, polyaniline, polyindole, polythiophene, poly(3-methylthiophene, poly(N-methyl aniline), or poly(o-toluidine).
9 . The process of claim 6 , wherein a mass ratio of the surface agent/CNC can range from 5/100 to 100/100.
10 . The process of claim 6 , wherein said ICP is added dropwise to the reaction mixture.
11 . The process of claim 6 , further comprising a step of quenching after said polymerization of said ICP before said step of isolating said composite.
12 . The process of claim 11 , wherein said step of isolating of said composite is comprising removing excess oligomers and unreacted chemicals.
13 . The process of claim 6 , further comprising a step of processing after said step of isolating said composite.
14 . The process of claim 13 , wherein said step of processing is comprising drying, pressing or casting.
15 . A process for preparing a supercapacitor electrode comprising casting a slurry of the composite having a core-shell arrangement as defined in claim 1 on an electrode followed by drying of said slurry.