title: Dielectrophoresis of cellulose nanocrystals and alignment in ultrathin films by electric field-assisted shear assembly.
abstract: Ultrathin films of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are obtained by using a convective assembly setup coupled with a low-strength external AC electric field. The orientation and degree of alignment of the rod-like nanoparticles are controlled by the applied field strength and frequency used during film formation. Calculated dipole moments and Clausius-Mossotti factors allowed the determination of the critical frequencies, the peak dielectrophoresis as well as the principal orientation of the CNCs in the ultrathin films. As a result of the combination of shear forces and low electric field highly ultrathin films with controlled, unprecedented CNC alignment are achieved.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Department of Forest Biomaterials, Campus Box 8005, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. lcsoka@fmk.nyme.hu
authors.forename: Levente
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Csoka
authors.forename: Ingrid C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Hoeger
authors.forename: Perry
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peralta
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Peszlen
authors.forename: Orlando J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Rojas
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004586:Electrophoresis; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002482:Cellulose