Abstract: This study provides insight into the thermal degradation of cotton cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by tuning their physico-chemical properties through acid hydrolysis using blends of phosphoric and sulfuric acid. CNCs isolated by sulfuric acid hydrolysis are known to degrade at lower temperatures than CNCs hydrolyzed with phosphoric acid; however, the reason for this change is unclear. Although all CNCs are inherently relatively thermally stable, their application in polymer composites and liquid formulations designed to function at high temperatures could be extended if thermal stability was improved. Herein, thermogravimetric analysis was carried out on six types of CNCs (in both acid and sodium form) with different surface chemistry, surface charge density, dimensions, crystallinity and degree of polymerization (DP) to identify the key properties that influence thermal stability of nanocellulose. In acid form, CNC surface charge density was found to be the determining factor in thermal stability due to de-esterification and acid-catalyzed degradation. Conversely, in sodium form, surface chemistry and charge density had a negligible effect on the onset of thermal degradation, however, the DP of the cellulose polymer chains highly influenced stability. The presence of more reducing ends in lower DP nanocrystals is inferred to facilitate thermally-induced depolymerization and degradation. Degree of crystallinity did not significantly affect CNC thermal stability. Studying CNCs produced from single or blends of acids (and changing the counterion) elucidated the thermal behavior of cellulose and furthermore demonstrated new routes to tailor CNCs thermal and colloidal stability. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

The widespread use of renewable nanomaterials has been limited due to poor integration with conventional polymer matrices. Often, chemical and physical surface modifications are implemented to improve compatibility, however, this comes with environmental and economic cost. This work demonstrates that renewable nanomaterials, specifically cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), can be utilized in their unmodified state and presents a simple and versatile, one-step method to produce polyamide/CNC nanocomposites with unique Janus-like properties. Nanocomposites in the form of films, fibers, and capsules are prepared by dispersing as-prepared CNCs in the aqueous phase prior to the interfacial polymerization of aromatic diamines and acyl chlorides. The diamines in the aqueous phase not only serve as a monomer for polymerization, but additionally, adsorb to and promote the incorporation of CNCs into the nanocomposite. Regardless of the architecture, CNCs are only present along the surface facing the aqueous phase, resulting in materials with unique, Janus-like wetting behavior and potential applications in filtration, separations, drug delivery, and advanced fibers.

The family of two-dimensional (2D) metal carbides and nitrides, known as MXenes, are among the most promising electrode materials for supercapacitors thanks to their high metal-like electrical conductivity and surface-functional-group-enabled pseudocapacitance. A major drawback of these materials is, however, the low mechanical strength, which prevents their applications in lightweight, flexible electronics. A strategy of assembling freestanding and mechanically robust MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanocomposites with one-dimensional (1D) cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from their stable colloidal dispersions is reported. The high aspect ratio of CNF (width of approximate to 3.5 nm and length reaching tens of micrometers) and their special interactions with MXene enable nanocomposites with high mechanical strength without sacrificing electrochemical performance. CNF loading up to 20%, for example, shows a remarkably high mechanical strength of 341 MPa (an order of magnitude higher than pristine MXene films of 29 MPa) while still maintaining a high capacitance of 298 F g(-1) and a high conductivity of 295 S cm(-1). It is also demonstrated that MXene/CNF hybrid dispersions can be used as inks to print flexible micro-supercapacitors with precise dimensions. This work paves the way for fabrication of robust multifunctional MXene nanocomposites for printed and lightweight structural devices.