Concentration Of Nanocrystals Research Articles

Effect of concentration and functional group of cellulose nanocrystals on the rheological and filtration properties of water-based drilling fluids at various temperatures

Effect of concentration and functional group of cellulose nanocrystals on the rheological and filtration properties of water-based drilling fluids at various temperatures

Liquid lasing from solutions of ligand-engineered semiconductor nanocrystals.

Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) can function as efficient gain materials with chemical versatility because of their surface ligands. Because the properties of NCs in solution are sensitive to ligand-environment interactions, local chemical changes can result in changes in the optical response. However, amplification of the optical response is technically challenging because of colloidal instability at NC concentrations needed for sufficient gain to overcome losses. This paper demonstrates liquid lasing from plasmonic lattice cavities integrated with ligand-engineered CdZnS/ZnS NCs dispersed in toluene and water. By taking advantage of calcium ion-induced aggregation of NCs in aqueous solutions, we show how lasing threshold can be used as a transduction signal for ion detection. Our work highlights how NC solutions and plasmonic lattices with open cavity architectures can serve as a biosensing platform for lab-on-chip devices.

Temperature sensing of novel Tb3+/Ho3+/Bi3+ co-doped lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgInCl6 nanocrystals

Up to now, the research field of application of lanthanide ions doped lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgInCl6 nanocrystals (NCs) was relatively limited, even less in temperature sensing. Here, Tb3+/Ho3+/Bi3+ ions were successfully doped into Cs2AgInCl6 NCs by hot-injection. The temperature sensing performance of co-doped NCs by using the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) was studied through the temperature-dependent emission spectra. By analyzing the influence of ions' doping concentration on temperature sensing performance, the optimal doping concentration of co-doped Cs2AgInCl6 NCs was determined to be 7 % Tb3+, 20 % Ho3+ and 1 % Bi3+. The highest absolute and relative sensitivities reach 1.48 K−1 and 2.48 %/K, respectively. We provide a new doping scheme of lead-free double perovskite NCs which have good temperature sensing performance. This co-doped NCs have great potential application value in non-contact temperature sensing in nanoscale.

Optimization of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) concentration in polycaprolactone bio-composites for bio-plotting: a robust interpretation of the reinforcement mechanisms

Bioabsorbable and biodegradable composites have experienced rapid growth, owing to their high demand in the biomedical sector. Polymer-cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) compounds were developed using a medical-grade poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix to improve the stiffness and load-bearing capacity of pure PCL. Five PCL/CNCs filament grades were melt-extruded, pelletized, and fed into an industrial bioplotter to fabricate specimens. To assess the effects of CNCs on pure PCL, 14 tests were conducted, including rheological, thermomechanical, and in situ micro-mechanical testing, among others. The porosity and dimensional accuracy of the samples were also documented using micro-computed tomography while scanning electron microscopy was employed for morphological characterization. Overall, the 4.0 wt % CNCs loading accomplished the optimum mechanical response, with an increase in its tensile (19.1%) and flexural strength (12.6%) compared to pure PCL. Concurrently, this grade exhibited the highest MFR, minimum porosity, and highest nominal-to-actual geometric accuracy, thereby convincingly interpreting the reinforcement mechanisms.

Short-Wave Infrared Detection and Imaging Employing Size-Customized HgTe Nanocrystals.

HgTe nanocrystals (NCs) possess advantages including tunable infrared absorption spectra, solution processability, and low fabrication costs, offering new avenues for the advancement of next-generation infrared detectors. In spite of great synthetic advances, it remains essential to achieve customized synthesis of HgTe NCs in terms of industrial applications. Herein, by taking advantage of a high critical nucleation concentration of HgTe NCs, a continuous-dropwise (CD) synthetic approach that features the addition of the anion precursors in a feasible drop-by-drop fashion is demonstrated. The slow reaction dynamics enable size-customized synthesis of HgTe NCs with sharp band tails and wide absorption range fully covering the short- and mid-infrared regions. More importantly, the intrinsic advantages of CD process ensure high-uniformity and scale-up synthesis from batch to batch without compromising the excitonic features. The resultant HgTe nanocrystal photodetectors show a high room-temperature detectivity of 8.1 × 1011 Jones at 1.7µm cutoff absorption edge. This CD approach verifies a robust method for controlled synthesis of HgTe NCs and might have important implications for scale-up synthesis of other nanocrystal materials.

Investigation of Surface Nanoclusters and Paramagnetic Centers of ZnO/Por-Si Structures as the Basis of Sensory Properties

The detection of particles with uncompensated charge and the determination of the features of their interaction during the formation of nanocrystals on substrates with a developed surface are an interesting area of research. The porous surface formed via the electrochemical etching of silicon acquired fractal properties as a result of the deposition of zinc oxide layers. Microscopy methods using different resolutions revealed a hierarchical structure of the surface, where each of the three consecutive levels contains uniformly distributed formations. The deposition of 20 layers of ZnO maximizes the concentration of nanocrystals at the pore boundaries, while the deposition of 25 layers leads to the formation of a continuous layer. The increase in photoluminescence intensity with an increase in the number of deposited layers is due to the saturation of surface nanostructures with electrons through several mechanisms. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies have shown that the main mechanism of radiation recombination is the capture of electrons on oxygen vacancies. The different nature of the EPR saturation of the signal of interconnected paramagnetic centers revealed the formation of zinc oxide particles at the boundaries of pores with different sizes. The results of these studies of surface-active structures effectively complement the knowledge about sensory materials.

Investigating the Potential of Perovskite Nanocrystal-Doped Liquid Scintillator: A Feasibility Study

Liquid scintillators are extensively employed as targets in neutrino experiments and in medical radiography. Perovskite nanocrystals are recognized for their tunable emission spectra and high photoluminescence quantum yields. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using perovskites as an alternative to fluor, a substance that shifts the wavelengths. The liquid scintillator candidates were synthesized by doping perovskite nanocrystals with emission wavelengths of 450, 480, and 510 nm into fluor PPO with varying nanocrystal concentrations in a toluene solvent. The several properties of the perovskite nanocrystal-doped liquid scintillator were measured and compared with those of a secondary wavelength shifter, bis-MSB. The emission spectra of the perovskite nanocrystal-doped liquid scintillator exhibited a distinct monochromatic wavelength, indicating energy transfer from PPO to the perovskite nanocrystals. Using a 60Co radioactive source setup with two photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), the light yields, pulse shape, and wavelength shifts of the scintillation events were measured. The light yields were evaluated based on the observed Compton edges from γ-rays, and compared across the synthesized samples. A decrease (or increase) in area-normalized PMT pulse height was observed at higher perovskite nanocrystal (or PPO) concentrations. The results demonstrated the sufficient potential of perovskite nanocrystals as an alternative to traditional wavelength shifters in a liquid scintillator.

Effect of ultraviolet-irradiation on the physicochemical and disintegrability properties of nanocomposite tunta starch:tara gum films reinforced with starch nanocrystals

ABSTRACT Biodegradable films based on a blend of Peruvian tunta starch (TS) and tara gum (TG) (95:5) reinforced with TS nanocrystals (NC) were prepared using the casting method. The effect of ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation time (60 and 120 min) and the NC concentration (0, 5, and 10 g/100 g biopolymers) on the physicochemical and disintegrability properties of nanocomposite TS:TG films were investigated. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus were increased from 4 to 14 MPa and 14 to 600 MPa, respectively; meanwhile, the elongation was reduced by about 90% by increasing NC amount, mainly at lower UV-time. The color parameters and the UV–vis light barrier showed a significant (p < .05) variation mainly due to the NC effect. The higher the NC content, the lower the moisture barrier (p < .05). Neither NC nor UV time significantly impacted the moisture content, water solubility, crystallinity, or chemical composition. SEM micrographs showed a roughness increase in the films’ microstructure with a marked difference among treatments. All films were disintegrated more than 80% after 5 days of burying under composting conditions. The UV-irradiation combined with TS nanocrystal reinforcement caused a significant enhancement of some TS:TG films’ properties, suggesting their possible use as eco-friendly packaging.

Ammonia induced strong LSPR effect of chain-like ATO nanocrystals for hyperspectral selective energy-saving window applications

Sb-doped SnO2 (ATO) is a promising multifunctional material with great potentials for practice applications, however, it suffers from poor absorption efficiency of near-infrared (NIR) light due to its relatively weak localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect. In this study, a series of chain-like ATO nanocrystals (NCs) with high Sb5+/Sb3+ ratio(s) and oxygen defect concentration were precisely prepared by a simple but efficient precipitation-hydrothermal method. The introduction of NH3 served as a double-hero in controlling both the solution pH and the shape of nanocrystals. Both experimental and theoretical calculation results have indicated that our synthesis strategy effectively increases the free carrier concentration and mobility of ATO NCs to improve LSPR effect, and thereby effectively broaden the NIR light absorption region and improve the absorption capacity. Furthermore, the as-prepared ATO hydrosols show great potentials for practical applications in energy-saving building since a flexible application mode as an energy-saving window can be implemented. Both the formation of ATO hydrosol windows by pouring into the laminated glass and spin-coating onto the flat glass to create ATO coatings can result in excellent optical properties and thermal insulation performance. These findings may not only accelerate the commercialization process of ATO but also provide valuable theoretical guidance for developing novel hyperspectral materials.

Microwave-synthesized CZTS nanoparticles and their surface modification for the model hybrid photovoltaic devices

Environmentally friendly, colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) are promising materials for the next-generation, hybrid organic-inorganic photovoltaic devices obtained by solution-based methods because of their low cost, solution processability, and facile bandgap tunability. In this work, Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals (CZTS NCs) with a diameter of 5 nm and the mixed crystal structure, including the kesterite and wurtzite phases, were synthesized using a “green” microwave-assisted process. The as-synthesized CZTS NCs were characterized with XRD, TEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy, PL spectroscopy, EDS, AFT-IR, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. The photovoltaic (PV) performance of hybrid devices was studied and it consisted of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/Al, where CZTS NCs, model polymer PCDTBT, and PC70BM as an acceptor of electrons were in the active layer. In order to improve the charge transport and hydrophobicity of CZTS NCs in hybrid solar cells, the surface of the NCs was modified with four selected aromatic molecules, e.g. 1-aminonaphthalene, o-phenylenediamine, 2-naphthalenethiol, and 2-naphtholic acid, respectively. The performance of the devices significantly depended on the type of the used target ligand for modification of the CZTS NCs and their concentration in the active layer. With a fixed concentration of NCs, the exchange of ligand from initial ethylenediamine, in the best case of o-phenylenediamine, results in a five-time boost in device efficiency. This optimization of the NC ligands also allows achieving c.a. 45 % relative increase in device efficiency compared to the reference system without NCs. The highest average photovoltaic efficiency of 2.82 % with the open circuit voltage (Voc) = 0.86 V, short circuit current density (Jsc) = 8.79 mA/cm2, and fill factor (FF) = 0.41 was noted.

Changes in the physicochemical properties of isolated starch and plantain (Musa AAB Simmonds) flours for early maturity stage

This work focuses on the study of the physicochemical changes that take place during the first stage of ripening of plantain, with particular attention to the changes in the orthorhombic and hexagonal nanocrystals present in this starch, and its relation shift with resistance starch. Significant changes were observed in the proximal analysis of plantain flour. A gradual increase in moisture content was attributed to the high content of crystalline structures and molecules that can be removed by drying. Water activity increased with ripening, which was attributed to the hygroscopic nature of the flours. The protein content increased, and the carbohydrate content decreased, indicating the progress of biochemical reactions. The changes in the fat content are consistent with the hydrolysis and resynthesis of lipids during the ripening process. The obtained results indicate a significant influence of the ripening stage on the physicochemical properties of flour and starch of plantain, which is associated with the occurrence of a climacteric peak on the 4th day of ripening.The hydration properties of plantain flour decreased significantly during the ripening days, consistent with the occurrence of a climacteric peak. Water holding capacity (WHC) and water binding capacity (WBC) were affected by the degree of digestion of native starch granules and protein denaturation during fruit ripening. Scanning electron microscopes (SEM) showed that during ripening the surface of the isolated starches do not suffer any significative damage. X-ray diffraction patterns were used to identify crystalline structures and to study the changes in the crystalline structures. These results showed that the starch contains orthorhombic and hexagonal nanocrystals, which play and important role and which show small structural damage during ripening reflected in a decrease in their relative crystallinity. This is the first time that these nanocrystals have been studied and considered in the ripening process. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the thermal transition in isolated starch. The results indicated that the gelatinization of starch corresponds to the solvation of orthorhombic and hexagonal nanocrystals, and that during ripening there is a decrease in the enthalpy reflecting some crystal structural damage. Pasting properties were studied using a Starch cell for flours and isolated starches, indicating that the pasting profile is governed by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The resistant starch does not show significant changes at this stage of maturation. This starch is the one with the highest resistant starch content reported in the literature (38%). It was hypothesized that the resistant starch is directly related to the amount of whole starch granules, and more importantly, directly related to the number concentration of orthorhombic and hexagonal nanocrystals. Therefore, knowledge of the physicochemical and nutritional properties of plantain and flour at each stage of ripening allows better selection according to industrial applications.

Production of cellulose nanocrystals from tomato pomace as a food waste and their application for stabilizing of Pickering emulsions

This study aimed to purify cellulose from tomato pomace and investigate properties of obtained cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and their application for stabilization of Pickering emulsion. The tomato pomace was treated under alkaline and bleaching to produce purified cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals were then extracted by acid hydrolysis at different temperatures and times. The best CNC were obtained under acid hydrolysis at 45 °C and 30 min with crystallinity of 79%. Analysis of FTIR, TGA, and DSC was used to investigate the chemical and thermal properties of cellulose nanocrystals. TEM images showed spherical particles with average diameter of 104 ± 10 nm. To test the emulsifying ability of CNC, different concentrations of nanocrystals were applied to stabilize an oil in water Pickering emulsion. By increased the CNCs concentration, stability of the emulsions to physical stress, heat, and storage time increased. The results of this study showed that cellulose nanocrystals as an environmentally friendly material can be extracted from a food waste and have the ability to stabilize oil in water emulsions.

Affable thermal treatment process to overcome the trade-off relation via interface engineering in an Fe-based amorphous film

As pre-eminent soft magnetic materials, Fe-based amorphous alloys have been extensively studied due to adjustable composition, low cost, and low iron core loss. The soft magnetic properties could be further improved after thermal annealing, which achieve a low coercive force (Hc) due to the low magnetic anisotropy and a high saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) on account of the precipitation of soft magnetic nanocrystalline phases. However, it is a key difficulty to control the nucleation and growth procedures of nanocrystals during annealing, resulting in rapid deterioration of Hc. Here, a soft magnetic Fe76Si8B13Nb3 film with ultra-fine amorphous/crystalline (a/c) core–shell structure is achieved from an amorphous precursor with the nanoscale phase separation. The pre-existing nanoscale phase separation provides vast nucleation sites and interphase boundaries, which could generate high concentration of nanocrystals and depresses the subsequent coarsening behavior even for long-time heat treatment. In consequence, the a/c core–shell soft magnetic film breaks the general trade-off relation in the soft magnetic material family with the highest Bs and lowest Hc simultaneously. This work provides a new perspective to design a/c alloys by amorphous precursor with dual phase structure, and importantly, it supplies effortless thermal treatment requirement to conveniently regulate the microstructures and soft magnetic properties of metallic glasses.

Synthesis and characterization of nanocellulose from watermelon rinds and water hyacinth

Nanocellulose derived from cellulose, the abundant natural polymer, is used in various applications due to its superior chemical, mechanical and thermal properties along with good biocompatibility and biodegradability. This paper reports an investigation of the extraction of nanocellulose from two freely available natural precursors-watermelon rinds and water hyacinth leaves. Cellulose isolation was carried out through chemical methods, including acid and alkali treatments followed by bleaching. The chemical composition, percentage crystallinity and particle size were studied using various characterization techniques. FTIR spectra indicate the removal of hemicelluloses, pectin, and lignin resulting in the effective isolation of cellulose from both precursors. Results of XRD indicate a high concentration of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) in the treated sample. The FESEM and SEM-EDAX images also confirm the formation of CNCs. TGA and DSC results show excellent thermal stability for both CNCs. Investigations on the properties of a CNC-reinforced epoxy composite are also reported. Results indicate considerable improvement in the mechanical properties, thermal stability and thermal conductivity of the composites compared to the pristine polymer.

Rheology of Pickering Emulsions Stabilized and Thickened by Cellulose Nanocrystals over Broad Ranges of Oil and Nanocrystal Concentrations

The rheology of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, stabilized and thickened by cellulose nanocrystals, also referred to as nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), was investigated over broad ranges of NCC and oil concentrations. The NCC concentration was varied from 1.03 to 7.41 wt% based on the aqueous phase. The oil concentration of the emulsion was varied from approximately 10 to 70 wt%. The emulsions produced were highly stable with respect to creaming and coalescence. The emulsions were non-Newtonian in that they exhibited strong shear-thinning behavior. The rheological data were described adequately by a power-law model. The consistency index (K) and the flow behavior index (n) of the emulsions were strongly dependent on the NCC and oil concentrations. At a fixed oil concentration, the consistency index increased whereas the flow behavior index decreased with the increase in NCC concentration. A similar behavior was observed when the NCC concentration was fixed and the oil concentration was increased; that is, the consistency index increased whereas the flow behavior index decreased.

An Amorphous Phase Precedes Crystallization: Unraveling the Colloidal Synthesis of Zirconium Oxide Nanocrystals.

One can nowadays readily generate monodisperse colloidal nanocrystals, but the underlying mechanism of nucleation and growth is still a matter of intense debate. Here, we combine X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the nucleation and growth of zirconia nanocrystals from zirconium chloride and zirconium isopropoxide at 340 °C, in the presence of surfactant (tri-n-octylphosphine oxide). Through E1 elimination, precursor conversion leads to the formation of small amorphous particles (less than 2 nm in diameter). Over the course of the reaction, the total particle concentration decreases while the concentration of nanocrystals stays constant after a sudden increase (nucleation). Kinetic modeling suggests that amorphous particles nucleate into nanocrystals through a second order process and they are also the source of nanocrystal growth. There is no evidence for a soluble monomer. The nonclassical nucleation is related to a precursor decomposition rate that is an order of magnitude higher than the observed crystallization rate. Using different zirconium precursors (e.g., ZrBr4 or Zr(OtBu)4), we can tune the precursor decomposition rate and thus control the nanocrystal size. We expect these findings to help researchers in the further development of colloidal syntheses.

Lauric acid adsorbed cellulose nanocrystals reduced the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of oil-water pickering emulsions

An in vitro gastrointestinal tract (GIT) fate of beta-carotene-loaded oil-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized with lauric acid-adsorbed cellulose nanocrystals (CL) was investigated. Different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%, w/v) of CL and pure cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were used. During in vitro digestion, the effects of CL and CNC and their concentrations on the lipid droplet diameter (D 4,3 ), zeta potential, microscopic structure, phase stability (creaming index), degree of lipid digestion (free fatty acid release), and bioaccessibility of loaded beta-carotene were recorded. The Pickering emulsions stabilized with levels of CL above 1.0% (w/v) were stable against lipid droplet flocculation and coalescence and impeded the increase of D 4,3 (p ≤ 0.05) throughout the GIT phases. A significant increase in the D 4,3 was recorded for the emulsion stabilized with CNC due to flocculation and coalescence of lipid droplets. Instead of electrostatic repulsion stabilization, Pickering emulsions stabilized with CL displayed steric stabilization activity at the lower pH of the gastric phase, where the lowest zeta potential of less than +10 mV was found. The Pickering emulsion stabilized with CNC had significantly higher lipid digestion (∼63%) than stabilized with CL (∼52%). Average bioaccessibilities were up to 65% for CL stabilized Pickering emulsions and 70% for CNC-stabilized Pickering emulsions. CL can maintain emulsions phase stability by retaining lipid droplet size, reducing lipid digestibility, and prolonging the release of lipophilic nutrients. Other modifications of CNC may be required to release such nutrients in the small intestine, and in vivo studies are needed to verify in vitro assays. • Modifying nanocellulose with lauric acid improved emulsion stability but delayed the release of beta-carotene for absorption in an in vitro digestion model system. • Other types of chemical modification may be necessary to deliver phytonutrients for absorption in the small intestine.

Stabilization of ginger essential oil Pickering emulsions by pineapple cellulose nanocrystals

Pickering emulsions (PE) are systems made up of two incompatible fluids, these are stabilized by solid organic or inorganic particles located on their interface. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are sustainable and biocompatible value-added naturally occurring biomolecules which are being investigated as PE stabilizers in the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries. The objective of this research was to investigate the efficacy of pineapple cellulose nanocrystals as stabilizers for a ginger essential oil-in-water Pickering emulsion. Anionic pineapple cellulose nanocrystals were prepared by acid hydrolysis. Ginger essential oil-in-water emulsions were prepared by ultrasonication. Pineapple CNC produced stable Pickering emulsions with surface average droplet size of 4.3 μm–6.2 μm, high negative zeta potential, high viscosity, and high adsorption at the interface. Pickering emulsions by ultrasonication were stable against droplet coalescence, phase separation, and droplet flocculation for at least 8 weeks at 25 °C or 40 °C at various droplet sizes. The emulsion droplet size and volume density (droplet size distribution) were evaluated by varying the particle concentration (CNC 0.25 g/100 ml or 0.50 g/100 ml) and/or oil fraction (10–20 g/100 ml). At constant oil fraction, the emulsion viscosity increased as the nanocrystal concentration increased. The cellulose nanocrystal-stabilized ginger oil-Pickering emulsions exhibited shear-thinning characteristics of a pseudo-plastic fluid. Pineapple nanocellulose crystal -stabilized ginger oil-Pickering emulsions exhibited high stability with a creaming index of zero. CNC was found to be an effective Pickering stabilizer for oil-in-water emulsions in various food applications.

Ecofriendly Perovskites with Giant Self‐Defocusing Optical Response

AbstractThe full optical control of light using sustainable green technologies is one of the incipient challenges of the Photonics community. There are, however, few optical materials able to provide a significant nonlinear refractive index change under small enough intensities (&lt; 1 GW cm−2), and, more importantly, allowing the external control of the magnitude and sign of their nonlinear response. This manuscript demonstrates that Cs2SnI6 lead‐free nanocrystals (NCs) present an extraordinary self‐defocusing response not yet observed up to now in any material. Despite its complex structural form, these NCs are fully characterized here, both experimentally and theoretically, revealing a giant negative refractive change Δn = −0.05 under proper illumination conditions. The nonlinear response is tuned with the intensity, concentration of NCs in the solvent, and propagation distance leading to a crossover where the media transforms to self‐focusing with Δn = +0.002. These results can provide fascinating opportunities in sensing and light–matter interactions for a future ecofriendly photonic technology.

Ex vivo UV-vis and FTIR photoacoustic spectroscopy of natural nanoemulsions from cellulose nanocrystals and saponins topically applied into the skin: Diffusion rates and physicochemical evaluation.

Nanoemulsions are increasingly gaining importance in the development of topically applied medicine and cosmetic products because their small droplets favor the penetration rates of active compounds into the body. In this scenario, the measurements of their diffusion rates as well as eventual physicochemical changes in the target tissues are of utmost importance. It is also recognized that the use of natural surfactants can avoid allergic reactions as frequently observed for synthetic products. The natural saponins extracted from Sapindus Saponaria have the property of forming foam and are exploited as biocompatible and biodegradable, while cellulose nanocrystals are known to increase the stability of a formulation avoiding the coalescence of drops at the interface. Therefore, nanoemulsions combining natural saponins and cellulose nanocrystals are promising systems that may facilitate greater diffusion rates of molecules into the skin, being candidates to substitute synthetic formulations. This study applied the Photoacoustic Spectroscopy technique to measure the diffusion rates and the physicochemical properties of nanoemulsified formulations containing saponins and cellulose nanocrystals topically applied to the skin. The ex vivo study combined the first-time photoacoustic measurements performed in both ultraviolet-visible and mid-infrared spectral regions. The toxicity of these formulations in L929 cells was also evaluated. The results showed that the formulations were able to propagate throughout the skin to a depth of approximately 756μm, reaching the dermal side. The non-observation of absorbing band shifting or new bands in the FTIR spectra suggests that there were no structural changes in the skin as well as in the formulations after the nanoemulsions administration. The cytotoxicity results showed that the increase of cellulose nanocrystals concentration decreased cellular toxicity. In conclusion, the results demonstrated the advantage of combining photoacoustic methods in the ultraviolet-visible and mid-infrared spectral regions to analyze drug diffusion and interaction with the skin tissues. Both methods complement each other, allowing the confirmation of the nanoemulsion diffusion through the skin and also suggesting there were no detectable physicochemical changes in the tissues. Formulations stabilized with saponins and cellulose nanocrystals showed great potential for the development of topically administered cosmetics and drugs.