Orthotropic Cellulose Nanocomposites

A new methodology for fabricating nanocomposite films from anisotropic particles by filtration and UV crosslinking has been developed within the framework of the ANR Anisofilm project. The objective is to achieve precise control over the orientation and organization of anisotropic nanoparticles through the filtration process, which induces a regular and simultaneous orientation and concentration of the nanoparticles over time near a nanoporous membrane. A key achievement is the first-time production, using this shaping process (filtration and UV crosslinking), of a structured cellulose-based composite with lamellar sheet-like orientation and a cholesteric structure with a pitch gradient. This organization provides a basis for the development of thin films for photonics or optical applications.

The second key achievement is the demonstration that cellulose nanocrystals can be organized in orthogonal orientations using a frontal filtration process under ultrasound. This orthotropic structuring resembles the multilayered stratified architecture of articular cartilage, paving the way for the development of new orthotropic biomaterials with tunable anisotropic textures for bone and cartilage tissue engineering. A collaboration with the RMeS Laboratory at INSERM (“Regenerative Medicine & Skeleton”) is ongoing as part of Fanny Bosson’s PhD project.

References

Vidéo ANISOFILM – Focus Sciences- CNRS ALPES, 2024

Mandin, S., Metilli, L., Karrouch, M., Lancelon-Pin, C., Putaux, J. L., Chèvremont, W., ... & Pignon, F. (2024). Chiral nematic nanocomposites with pitch gradient elaborated by filtration and ultraviolet curing of cellulose nanocrystal suspensions. Carbohydrate Polymers, 337, 122162.

Mandin, S., Metilli, L., Karrouch, M., Blésès, D., Lancelon-Pin, C., Sailler, P., ... & Pignon, F. (2024). Multiscale study of the chiral self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals during the frontal ultrafiltration process. Nanoscale, 16(40), 19100-19115.