The structure of dispersions of TEMPO-oxidised cellulose nanofibrils (OCNF), at various concentrations, in water and in NaCl aqueous solutions, was probed using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). OCNF are modelled as rod-like particles with an elliptical cross-section of 10 nm and a length greater than 100 nm. As OCNF concentration increases above 1.5 wt%, repulsive interactions between fibrils are evidenced, modelled by the interaction parameter νRPA > 0. This corresponds to gel-like behaviour, where G' > G'' and the storage modulus, G', shows weak frequency dependence. Hydrogels can also be formed at OCNF concentration of 1 wt% in 0.1 M NaCl(aq). SAXS patterns shows an increase of the intensity at low angle that is modelled by attractive interactions (νRPA < 0) between OCNF, arising from the screening of the surface charge of the fibrils. Results are supported by ζ potential and cryo-TEM measurements.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) can be considered as model colloidal rods and have practical applications in the formation of soft materials with tailored anisotropy. Here, two contrasting microfluidic devices are employed to perform an experimental quantification of the role of shearing and planar extensional flows on the alignment of a dilute CNC dispersion. Characterization of the flow field by microparticle image velocimetry is coupled to flow-induced birefringence analysis to quantify the deformation rate–alignment relationship. The deformation rate required for CNC alignment is 4× smaller in extension than in shear. The birefringence signal rising from the CNC alignment in shear and extension can be scaled on a single master curve using a Péclet number that accounts for the shear and extensional viscosity of the solvent fluid, respectively. Based on this simple scaling relationship, it is possible to anticipate the alignment of rigid colloidal rods under purely extensional deformation by knowing the respective alignment profile in a shearing flow that is more accessible via multiple rheo-optical techniques. Quantification of the differences between shearing and extensional kinematics at aligning colloidal rods establishes coherent guidelines for the manufacture of structured soft materials.

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Alcohol-induced gelation of partially oxidised cellulose nanofibrils (OCNFs): nanoscale (SAXS) and macroscale (rheology) insights into OCNF self-assembly in aqueous-alcoholic mixtures.