pH‐Controlled network formation in a mixture of oppositely charged cellulose nanocrystals and poly(allylamine)

The behavior of a mixture of negatively charged cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and positively charged poly(allylamine) (PAAm) is examined in aqueous media. By modulating the pH, the acting Coulomb forces can be varied that can lead not only to adsorption of PAAm chains on the CNC surface but also to the development of a supermolecular structure by bridging of CNC rods by extended PAAm chains. This bridging can result in the formation of CNC clusters, which was demonstrated experimentally. Light scattering and rheological studies showed that these clusters begin to grow and merge, ultimately forming a global percolated network above a critical degree of PAAm ionization.