Multi-Functional Nanocomposites from Naturally Derived Materials: Conductive Melanin and Crystalline Nanocellulose
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초록
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Natural systems utilize multifunctional biocomposites by a bottom-up assembly of nanomaterials for creating hierarchical multiphasic structures, while conventional man-made composites increase one functionality by sacrificing the others. Here, we introduce multifunctional nanocomposites from natural biomaterials, including high crystalline cellulose nanofibers and conductive melanin nanoparticles. Tunic cellulose nanofibers have shown high crystallinity, straight fibrous shape, and liquid crystalline alignments. Thus, their nanocomposites showed excellent optical, mechanical, and surface properties. On the other hand, naturally derived melanin nanoparticles are molecularly structured to possess finely tunable electrochemical conductivities, optical reflectivity, and casting shape stability with inherent biocompatibility. These composites can be used as key functional materials in emerging applications such as biotic-abiotic interfaces, implantable electronics, and eco-electronics.