Compositions of boron nitride nanotubes and cellulose nanocrystals

The combination of polysaccharide-coated boron nitride nanotubes and cellulose nanocrystals in water facilitates the spontaneous formation of cholesteric liquid crystal shells, addressing the challenge of aqueous self-assembly and enabling scalable, sustainable optical materials for advanced applications.

WO2026112298A1 Publication Date: 2026-05-28CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/US2025/056351
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-11-20
Filing Date
2025-11-20
Publication Date
2026-05-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The self-assembly of spherical cholesteric liquid crystal shells in an all-aqueous environment has not been achieved due to the vanishingly small interfacial tension in water-in-water emulsions, leading to the formation of metastable, elongated liquid crystal tactoids instead of spherical droplets or shells.

Method used

A mixture of polysaccharide-coated boron nitride nanotubes and cellulose nanocrystals in water is used to spontaneously form micrometer-sized cholesteric liquid crystal droplets with an isotropic core, leveraging the modulation of interfacial behavior and nanorod alignment.

Benefits of technology

This approach enables the scalable and sustainable assembly of cholesteric liquid crystal shells with integrated optical properties, suitable for applications in photonics, biochemical sensing, and nanomaterial templating.

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Abstract

Spherical cholesteric liquid crystal shells may be produced by mixing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in water. The BNNTs may be coated with a polysaccharide (e.g., pectin). The polysaccharide may function as a dispersing agent and an emulsion stabilizer. Associated compositions, methods, films, and articles employ the shells. The shells may form spherical droplets with isotropic cores.
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