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The packing of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) in the anisotropic chiral nematic phase has been investigated over a wide concentration range by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and laser diffraction. The average separation distance between the CNCs and the average pitch of the chiral nematic phase have been determined over the entire isotropic-anisotropic biphasic region. The average separation distances range from 51 nm, at the onset of the anisotropic phase formation, to 25 nm above 6 vol % (fully liquid crystalline phase) whereas the average pitch varies from ≈15 μm down to ≈2 μm as ϕ increases from 2.5 up to 6.5 vol %. Using the cholesteric order, we determine that the twist angle between neighboring CNCs increases from about 1° up to 4° as ϕ increases from 2.5 up to 6.5 vol %. The dependence of the twisting on the volume fraction was related to the increase in the magnitude of the repulsive interactions between the charged rods as the average separation distance decreases.

Silicon is a good alternative to conventional graphite anode but it has bad cycling and rate performance. To overcome these severe problems, extensively interconnected silicon nanoparticles using carbon network derived from ultrathin cellulose nanofibers were synthesized. Ultrathin cellulose nanofibers, an abundant and sustainable material, entangle each silicon nanoparticle and become extensively interconnected carbon network after pyrolysis. This wide range interconnection provides an efficient electron path by decreasing the likelihood that electrons experience contact resistivity and also suppresses the volume expansion of silicon during lithiation. In addition, Ultrathin cellulose nanofibers are carboxylated and therefore adhesive to silicon nanoparticles through hydrogen bonding. This property makes ultrathin cellulose the perfect carbon source when making silicon composites. As a consequence, it exhibits 808 mAh g −1 of the reversible capacity after 500 cycles at high current density of 2 A g −1 with a coulombic efficiency of 99.8%. Even at high current density of 8 A g −1 , it shows a high reversible discharge capacity of 464 mAh g −1 . Moreover, extensively interconnected carbon network prevents the formation of a brittle electrode with a water-based binder. Therefore, this remarkable material has a huge potential for LIBs applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, cellulose nanofiber (CNF) derived carbon and reduced graphene oxide co-supported lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 , LFP) nanocomposite was prepared by thoroughly mixing CNF with LFP first, followed by mixing again with graphene oxide (GO) to make well dispersed LFP nanoparticles anchored on graphene oxide, finally heating under an inert atmosphere. The ultrathin CNF was used as not only a carbon source but also an adhesive agent which can attach the LFP nanoparticles to the graphene sheets. The LFP nanoparticles were tightly attached to graphene sheets due to the hydrogen bond between GO and CNF. This nanocomposite exhibited good rate performance (discharge capacity of 168.9 mA h g−1 at 0.1C, and 90.3 mA h g−1 at 60C) and long-term cycle stability (~ 91.5% of initial capacity at 10C after 500 cycles) as cathode material for LIBs. The good rate and cycling performances could be attributed to the well-connected electron pathway derived from strongly adhering the LFP nanoparticles to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and the facilitate electron transportation derived from carbonized CNF (cCNF) conductive network. The introduction of cCNF to LFP/rGO nanocomposite can be a promising strategy for further improve the performance of LFP cathode in LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]