title: Chiral nematic stained glass: controlling the optical properties of nanocrystalline cellulose-templated materials.
abstract: Chiral nematic mesoporous materials decorated with metal nanoparticles have been prepared using the templated self-assembly of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). By adding small quantities of ionic compounds to aqueous dispersions of NCC and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), the helical pitch of the chiral nematic structure could be manipulated in a manner complementary to the ratio of NCC/TMOS previously demonstrated by our group. We have studied the transformation of these ion-loaded composites into high surface area mesoporous silica and carbon films decorated with metal nanoparticles through calcination and carbonization, respectively. This general and straightforward approach to prepare chiral nematic metal nanoparticle assemblies may be useful in a variety of applications, particularly for their chiral optical properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1.
authors.forename: Joel A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Kevin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Shopsowitz
authors.forename: Jun Myun
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Wadood Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Hamad
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: MacLachlan