The “Chain Game” project is a fascinating exploration into the structure of cellulose microfibrils (CMFs), which are the essential building blocks in higher plants. At the core of our research is the fundamental question of how these CMFs are constructed. The basic building blocks of CMFs in plants consist of nanomaterials known as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils. These nanomaterials have diameters of only a few nanometres and represent remarkable biological nanomaterials with enormous potential to revolutionize science and technology through diverse applications. However, the exact structure of these nanomaterials is not known and is the focus of this project. Understanding this is crucial for designing new functional materials and gaining a better understanding of biological processes during plant growth.
Our project employs cutting-edge experimental techniques and advanced computational modelling to address this question. We aim to overcome challenges in observing the cellulose nanomaterials at the atomic level using transmission electron microscopy by developing innovative methods to protect the samples from decomposition during measurements while enhancing image clarity. Furthermore, we will conduct experiments that explore how these nanomaterials interact with various liquids to better understand how their structure affects their material properties.
By integrating high-resolution imaging, sophisticated computer simulations, and detailed sorption studies, we hope to achieve ground-breaking discoveries about the layout and structure of cellulose nanomaterials. This holistic approach will significantly expand our understanding of these revolutionary bionanomaterials and unlock their potential to transform a wide range of scientific and technological fields.
Figure 1: STEM ADF images of CNC crystallites supported by a 3 nm amorphous carbon film. (a) Overview image. (b) Higher magnification showing the distribution of Cs atoms and the orientation of the cellulose fibrils. (c) individual Cs atoms, marking the sulfate groups are visible, aligned along the CNCs. (d) Intensity profiles of the regions highlighted in (c). (e) Atomistic model of a CNC showing one possible configuration with 24 chains on amorphous carbon. (f) ADF multislice simulation corresponding to the model in (e).
The Chain Game project is funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF, no. 10.55776/PIN7297824 ).
Link zu FWF Projektseite: https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/research-radar/10.55776/PIN7297824
