Cellulose Nanocrystals Mimicking Micron-Sized Fibers to Assess the Deposition of Latex Particles on Cotton

Abstract

We report the interactions of cationic latex particles synthesized by RAFT/MADIXmediated emulsion polymerization with anionic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cotton fabrics. Latexes in the size range 200-300 nm with poly(butyl acrylate) or poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) hydrophobic cores and hydrophilic shell are synthesized. We show that the latex/CNC interaction is mediated by electrostatics, the interaction being the strongest with the most charged particles. The adsorption process is efficient and does not require any functionalization step for either cellulose or latex. A major result is the observation by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy of latexes coated with entangled arrays of CNCs, and for the softer particles a notable deformation of their structure into faceted polyhedra. By labeling the latexes with hydrophobic carbocyanine dyes, their deposition on woven cotton fabrics is studied in situ and quantified by fluorescence microscopy. As with the CNCs, the highest deposition on cotton in the wet and dried states is achieved with the most charged latexes. This demonstrates that CNCs can serve as models to adjust the interactions of latex particles with cotton, and thus optimize manufacturing processes for the development of advanced textiles.

Sol-gel transition induced by alumina nanoparticles in a model pulmonary surfactant

“…For deformable colloids, this size is estimated to be 1 µm. It was hypothesized that vesicles larger than 1 µm are expelled from the water film during blotting [24].…”

Optical Properties of Slot‐Die Coated Hybrid Colloid/Cellulose‐Nanofibril Thin Films

“…These slot‐die‐coated films serve as model systems that allow the application of core‐shell colloids: This approach allows for understanding fundamental interactions of the different components, for deriving processing routes and for quantifying the influence of nanostructure on the optical properties. [ 77 ] In our case, we used two core‐shell colloid systems with different sizes and different T g . The different colloid size allows for selective imbibition during slot‐die coating.…”

Mixing Order Asymmetry in Nanoparticle-Polymer Complexation and Precipitation Revealed by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry

“…3,18,34−36 Because their formation depends on physicochemical conditions such as concentration, pH and ionic strength and also the mixing mode, it is assumed that PECs are out of equilibrium, and in a metastable state. 3,36 Apart from the species mentioned above − polymers, surfactants and proteins, most charged molecular and colloidal systems, including multivalent ions, 26,37,38 lipids assemblies, 39,40 biological polymers, 19,33,41−44 nanoparticles, 45,46 cellulose nanofibers 47,48 nanoplastics, 49 form electrostatic complexes by association with oppositely charged macromolecules, by analogy with PECs. In many of the previous instances, coassembled structures exhibit endothermic signatures similar to those of coacervation and precipitation, and are typically characterized by entropy-driven mechanisms.…”

“…In the field of complex coacervation, the most extensively studied systems involve oppositely charged synthetic polymers with matching degrees of polymerization and charge. ,,, Far from charge stoichiometry, however, coassembly also takes place, giving rise to colloids made of entangled and loosely bound polymers, known as polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs). ,,− Because their formation depends on physicochemical conditions such as concentration, pH and ionic strength and also the mixing mode, it is assumed that PECs are out of equilibrium, and in a metastable state. , Apart from the species mentioned above – polymers, surfactants and proteins, most charged molecular and colloidal systems, including multivalent ions, ,, lipids assemblies, , biological polymers, ,,− nanoparticles, , cellulose nanofibers , nanoplastics, form electrostatic complexes by association with oppositely charged macromolecules, by analogy with PECs. In many of the previous instances, coassembled structures exhibit endothermic signatures similar to those of coacervation and precipitation, and are typically characterized by entropy-driven mechanisms. ,,,, …”