Conductive cellulose nanocrystals, method of producing same and uses thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a core-shell nanocomposite material comprising an intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) and surface-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as well as synthesis for preparing same and its use thereof in various applications.

1 . A composite having a core-shell arrangement, said composite comprising cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) as the core, a first layer comprising at least one surface agent in contact with said CNC and a second layer comprising at least one intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) in contact with said surface agent. 
     
     
         2 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein said surface agent is an amphiphilic agent. 
     
     
         3 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein said surface agent is poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), poly(N,N-dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMA). poly(N,N-dimethyl acrylamide) (GTMAC), Polyethylenimine(PEI), or poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). 
     
     
         4 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein said ICP is polypyrrole, polyaniline, polyindole, polythiophene, poly(3-methylthiophene, poly(N-methyl aniline), or poly(o-toluidine). 
     
     
         5 . The composite of  claim 1 , wherein a mass ratio of the surface agent/CNC is from about 5/100 to about 100/100. 
     
     
         6 . A process for preparing a composite having a core-shell arrangement, said composite comprising cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) as the core, a first layer comprising at least one surface agent in contact with said CNC and a second layer comprising at least one intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) in contact with said surface agent; 
       said process comprising; 
       dispersing the cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) in a solution; 
       mixing the CNC solution and at least one surface agent to cause adsorption of said surface agent on the CNC surface and form said first layer; 
       adding at least one monomer of said intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) and polymerizing said monomer to form said second layer in contact with said first layer comprising the surface agent; and 
       isolating said composite. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6 , wherein said surface agent is poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), poly(N,N-dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMA), poly(N,N-dimethyl acrylamide) (GTMAC), Polyethylenimine(PEI), or poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 6 , wherein said ICP is polypyrrole, polyaniline, polyindole, polythiophene, poly(3-methylthiophene, poly(N-methyl aniline), or poly(o-toluidine). 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 6 , wherein a mass ratio of the surface agent/CNC can range from 5/100 to 100/100. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 6 , wherein said ICP is added dropwise to the reaction mixture. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 6 , further comprising a step of quenching after said polymerization of said ICP before said step of isolating said composite. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said step of isolating of said composite is comprising removing excess oligomers and unreacted chemicals. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 6 , further comprising a step of processing after said step of isolating said composite. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein said step of processing is comprising drying, pressing or casting. 
     
     
         15 . A process for preparing a supercapacitor electrode comprising casting a slurry of the composite having a core-shell arrangement as defined in  claim 1  on an electrode followed by drying of said slurry.