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Abstract：
Chiral architectures, one of the key structural features of natural systems ranging from the nanoscale to macroscale, are an infinite source of inspiration for functional materials. Researchers have been, and still are, strongly pursuing the goal of constructing such structures with renewable and sustainable building blocks via simple and efficient strategies. With the merits of high sustainability, renewability, and the ability to self-assemble into chiral nematic structures in aqueous suspensions that can be preserved in the solid state, polysaccharide nanocrystals (PNs) including cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) offer opportunities to reach the target. We herein provide a comprehensive review that focuses on the development of CNCs and ChNCs for the use in advanced functional materials. First, the introduction of CNCs and ChNCs, and cellulose- and chitin-formed chiral nematic organizations in the natural world, are given. Then, the self-assembly process of such PNs and the factors influencing this process are comprehensively discussed. After that, we showcased the emerging applications of the self-assembled chiral nematic structures of CNCs and ChNCs. Finally, this review concludes with perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in this field.
摘要：
手性结构，从纳米尺度到宏观尺度的自然系统的关键结构特征之一，是功能材料的无限灵感来源。研究人员一直以来,现在仍然是，通过简单有效的策略，大力追求使用可再生和可持续的构建模块构建此类结构的目标。凭借高度可持续性的优点，可再生性，以及在水性悬浮液中自组装成手性向列型结构的能力，可以保持固态，包括纤维素纳米晶体(CNCs)和几丁质纳米晶体(ChNCs)的多糖纳米晶体(PNs)提供了到达目标的机会。我们在此提供了全面的综述，重点介绍了用于高级功能材料的CNCs和ChNCs的开发。首先,CNCs和ChNCs的引入，以及自然界中纤维素和几丁质形成的手性向列组织，是给定的。然后，全面讨论了此类PN的自组装过程以及影响该过程的因素。之后,我们展示了CNCs和ChNCs的自组装手性向列结构的新兴应用。最后,这篇综述最后提出了对这一领域面临的挑战和机遇的看法。
