Modulating of Bouligand Structure and Chirality Constructed Bionically Based on the Self-Assembly of Chitin Whiskers.

Abstract

Chitin can self-assemble into a liquid crystal phase with supramolecular chirality and Bouligand structure, which is widely found in the exoskeletons of arthropods. However, bionically replicating this structure via the self-assembly of chitin whiskers (CHWs) is still a challenge. Here, the effects of several internal and external parameters on the self-assembly of CHWs were revealed based on liquid crystal phase, chirality, Bouligand structure, and rheological properties. The formation of chiral liquid crystal phase and Bouligand structure largely depends on the concentration of CHWs and, meanwhile, is affected by the aspect ratio and zeta potential of CHWs and the self-assembly time. Impressively, introducing electrolytes and changing pH significantly affect the thickness of the electrical double layer, thereby also affecting the self-assembly of CHWs. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of CHWs' self-assembly process, which is beneficial for the bionic design of new nature-inspired functional materials with chiral characteristic and Bouligand structure.