Cellulose Nanocrystals Facilitate Needle-like Ice Crystal Growth and Modulate Molecular Targeted Ice Crystal Nucleation

Abstract

Ice nucleators are of crucial and important implications in various fields including chemistry, climate, agriculture, and cryobiology. However, the complicated extract and biocompatibility of ice nucleators remain unresolved, and the mechanism of ice nucleation remains largely unknown. Herein, we show that natural nanocrystalline cellulose materials possess special properties to enhance ice nucleation and facilitate needle-like ice crystal growth. We reveal the molecular level mechanism that the efficient exposure of cellulose hydroxyl groups on (−110) surface leads to faster nucleation of water. We further design chitosan-decorated cellulose nanocrystals to accomplish molecular cryoablation in CD 44 high-expression cells; the cell viability shows more than ∼10 times decrease compared to cryoablation alone and does not show evident systematic toxicity. Collectively, our findings also offer improved knowledge in molecular level ice nucleation, which may benefit multiple research communities and disciplines.

A Lection in Humbleness: Crystallization of Chiral and Zwitterionic APIs Baclofen and Phenibut

“…Targeted synthesis of a desired crystalline modification remains a core objective in crystal engineering, and manifold approaches for various applications are continuously developed [1][2][3][4]. Occurrences of polymorphism, hydrate or solvate formation can hinder crystal synthesis of the wanted product, especially if said product is not the thermodynamically most stable variant [5][6][7][8].…”

“…Contrary to that, Phenibut is not actually approved for commonly used in the treatment of spastic diseases [29][30][31], but its potential in the treatment of alcohol addiction is an additional topic of interest [32][33][34]. Contrary to that, Phenibut is not actually approved for medical use in the US, Europe or Australia but is classified as a dietary supplement, research chemical or new psychoactive substance [25,[35][36][37][38] Different attempts at multicomponent crystal formation on racemic Baclofen (1) and Phenibut (2) were conducted from solution with pure enantiomers and racemic mixtures of dicarboxylic acids tartaric acid (3) and malic acid (4) (Scheme 1). Since 1 and 2 show extremely poor solubility in almost every solvent except for water, limiting the choice of the solvent for the supramolecular synthesis and single crystals growth, a mechanochemical crystallization was performed as an alternative route to access the desired products.…”

Novel Natural Carrier‐Free Self‐Assembled Nanoparticles for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Balancing Immune Microenvironment and Intestinal Barrier

“…The BBR molecule could crystallize in one direction, resulting in needle‐shaped crystals (Figure S1A, Supporting Information). [ 20 ] BBR‐HST NPs is a conjugate molecule, generated from the electrostatic interaction between the nitrogen atom of BBR and the hydroxyl group of HST. Compared with BBR, BBR‐HST NPs could not crystallize along the edge and but could promote the self‐assembly to construct nanoparticles.…”

Potent Time-Dependent Ice Recrystallization Inhibition Activity of Cellulose Nanocrystals in Sucrose Solutions

“…16 However, the ice nucleation activity of cellulose and ice growth modulation of CNCs reported indicate a potential interaction between cellulose materials and ice. 39,40 A time-dependent behavior may explain the discrepancy for CNCs. A short observation time scale in measurements may result in the absence of TH/DIS because of a slow adsorption rate of CNCs with large sizes.…”