Prof Dr Jin Huang

Southwest University, China

Topic of Presentation:

Cellulose nanocrystal materials innovation: industrialization exploration originated from fundamental research on h-bonds network and multi-level asymmetry

Mr. Jin Huang obtained Ph.D degree in Wuhan University, and serves as the full-professor in Southwest University (China). He carried out scientific research at Institute of Chemistry (CAS), Wuhan University of Technology, Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble. He focuses on "Polymer-Centered Soft-Matter Materials" and "Sustainable Chemistry and Materials" for biomass resources utilization, structure-function integration, etc. The research on "cellulose nanocrystals-based materials" achieved progress including high-performances strategies of nanocomposites, optical enhancement of non-conjugate assemblies, and ordered long-range promotion of asymmetrical porous materials. So far, he has published over 270 peer-reviewed papers, and edited 3 monographs and wrote 8 book chapters.

CELLULOSE NANOCRYSTAL MATERIALS INNOVATION: INDUSTRIALIZATION EXPLORATION ORIGINATED FROM FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH ON H-BONDS NETWORK AND MULTI-LEVEL ASYMMETRY

Huang Jin^a,b,* ,Lin Gan^a,*

^aSouthwest University,

^bShihezi University

Corresponding Author:huangjin@iccas.ac.cn, swucgl@swu.edu.cn

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have garnered significant attention due to unique 1D rod-like asymmetrical morphology highly crystallinity with inner dense H-bonds, and remarkable surface reactivity, laying the foundation for material innovation and industrialization. Moreover, their commendable biocompatibility, biodegradability and biomass-acquisition endeavor competitiveness in sustainability. We have been consistently exploring diverse strategies to propel the exploration of innovative materials centered around H-bonds network in CNCs, as well as multi-level asymmetry of nanoparticles, assembled arrays, and manufactured porous materials. Primarily, the repertoire of surface chemical modification techniques and controllability strategies for CNC has expanded significantly to consolidate the substance and structure basis of materials development. Beyond manipulating molecular structures and physicochemical properties, the methodology extends to spatial and functional effects-oriented "surface molecular engineering" depending upon rigid support and ordered active sites derived from crystalline with ordered chain arrangement; and, especially to overlay the molecular asymmetry level of functional groups distribution on the surface of asymmetrical rigid CNC rod. Therefore, combined with surface modification methods, the nanoparticle-level asymmetry of CNC contributes to specific cellular endocytosis for delivery carrier, curvature difference effect for magnetic and photothermal enhancement, etc., and achieves predominant mechanical enhancement with low loading-level percolation for “nanocomposite” materials. Integrated with H-bonds network, the asymmetry researches of CNC-based materials are advanced as uniaxial orientation array-level for structural monochrome of “assembly” materials, and as orientation and negative Poisson's ratio macroscopic porous-level for electromechanical conversion elevation of constructing long-range order in “manufacturing” materials. These endeavors collectively serve as the cornerstone for the imperative integration of CNCs in industrial products. In summary, our investigations have not only shed light on the exceptional properties of cellulose nanocrystals but have also facilitated the emergence of cutting-edge methodologies for their utilization in diverse industrial applications.

Keywords: Cellulose Nanocrystals, Asymmetry, H-bonds network, Materials Innovation, Industrialization Exploration

References

1. Li, S; Liu, C.; Chen, W.; Huang, J.; Gan, L. Adv. Funct. Mater., 2025, 2418425.

2. Shi, Z.; Yang, D.; Zhou, Y.; Chen, X.; Gan, L.; Huang, J. Carbohydr. Polym., 2024, 324, 121539.

Prof Dr Moon Jeong Park

Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea

Topic of Presentation:

End-group chemistry: pathways to network morphologies and superionic polymers

Moon Jeong Park earned her B.S and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Seoul National University. She was a Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley. She joined the faculty of Chemistry at the Pohang University of Science and Technology in 2009 and became a Full Professor in 2018. Her research focuses on elucidating the interplay of morphology and transport in nanostructured charged polymer materials based on a fundamental understanding of molecular interactions. She serves as an Associate Editor for Macromolecules (ACS). Recent recognitions include the 2025 Science Prize of POSCO TJ Park Foundation of Korea, the 2024 Star (Science Technology and Researcher) Award of Ministry of Science of Korea, the 2021 American Physical Society DPOLY Fellow, 2017 American Physical Society Dillon Medal, and 2016 IUPAC Young Polymer Scientist Award, and 2016 Young Scientist Award of Ministry of Science of Korea. She was also selected as the 15th Female Scientist and Engineer of the Year Award of Korea.

END-GROUP CHEMISTRY: PATHWAYS TO NETWORK MORPHOLOGIES AND SUPERIONIC POLYMERS

Moon Jeong Park^a,*

^aPohang University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:moonpark@postech.ac.kr

Abstract

End-group functionalization has become a powerful and versatile strategy in polymer science, allowing precise tuning of intrinsic polymer properties, such as thermal transitions, solubility, and crystallization, without altering the polymer backbone. In our group’s work, we have shown that end-group interactions can direct polymer self-assembly, enabling the formation of thermodynamically stable, highly frustrated three-dimensional network structures. I propose revising traditional block copolymer phase diagrams to incorporate end–end interactions and end-group arrangements. When end-functionalized block copolymers exhibit strong end–end associations, network phases such as gyroid, diamond, and primitive can occupy a significantly expanded phase window, replacing the lamellar structures typically expected. This underscores the powerful role of end-group chemistry in shaping functional nanomaterials. This concept also provides a pathway for developing superionic polymers by strategically designing charged end groups that finely tune molecular interactions. Such interactions decouple ion relaxation from polymer relaxation, overcoming the trade-off between ionic conductivity and mechanical strength seen in many solid-state polymer electrolytes. These insights highlight the transformative potential of end-group chemistry for next-generation polymer materials and provide a foundation for designing functional nanomaterials for emerging applications, including solid-state battery electrolytes, mechanical metamaterials, and optical metamaterials.

Keywords: End-Group functionalization

References

1) Hojun Lee, Sangwoo Kwon, Jaemin Min, Seon-Mi Jin, Jun Ho Hwang, Eunji Lee, Won Bo Lee, and Moon Jeong Park*, “Thermodynamically Stable Plumber’s Nightmare Structures in Block Copolymers”, Science 2024, 383, 70.

2) Hojun Lee, Jihoon Kim, and Moon Jeong Park*, “Block Copolymer Electrolytes with Double Primitive Cubic Structures: Enhancing Solid-State Lithium Conduction via Lithium Salt Localization”, ACS Nano 2025, 19, 1251.

3) Xuelang Gao, Hojun Lee, Woongsik Choi, Yunsoo Shim, Hyung Min Chi, and Moon Jeong Park*, “Superionic Disulfonic Acid Polymers”, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025, 2501998.