Influence of type of salt on the effective interactions in CNC suspensions studied by SAXS

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspensions exhibit complex phase behavior driven by entropic, electrostatic, and hydrogen bonding interactions. This proposal compares two CNC systems prepared by different methods, analyzing their effective interactions and self-assembly across a concentration range of 0.1–18 wt% and under varying salt conditions (NaCl, NaSCN, CaCl2, YCl3) using SAXS. Combined with other complementary techniques, we will reveal how ionic strength and salt type influence liquid crystalline transitions, aggregation, and gelation. The findings will provide insights into CNC self-assembly mechanisms, informing the design of photonic materials, coatings, and advanced nanocomposites while advancing fundamental understanding of charged rod-like colloids.