Accessing Cellulose Spatial Distribution in Surfactant Lamellar Phases and Shear-Induced Formation of Vesicles by SANS

This study aims to gain insight into the fundamental aspects of the interaction between liquid crystalline phases, composed of a surfactant lamellar phase, and particles, such as cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose nanofibrils, in the perspective of complex fluids, as well as for the practical purpose of using bio-based rheological modifiers in industrial formulations. In this context, Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) is a unique technique able to localize the additives in the lamellar phase thanks to the possibility of using contrast matching. Specifically, we aim to use the excess scattering length density of the cellulose particle volume relative to the solvent and the lamellar phase of the surfactant. The obtained curves will be adjusted in order to obtain the electron density profiles, the Bragg peak's width and position, and the form factor of the surfactant bilayer and the cellulose additives, to derive structural parameters for both components. The cellulose particles can be organized in the aqueous space between the surfactant bilayers or outside the lamellar domains. The relative distribution of the celluloses in this system is crucial to relate its microstructure with rheological properties observed.