Imaging with a twist: Three-dimensional insights of the chiral nematic phase of cellulose nanocrystals via SHG microscopy

IF 11.7 1区综合性期刊 Q1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES

Science Advances Pub Date : 2024-10-30 DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adp2384

Thibaut Legat, Vladimir Grachev, Desmond Kabus, Minne Paul Lettinga, Koen Clays, Thierry Verbiest, Yovan de Coene, Wim Thielemans, Stijn Van Cleuvenbergen

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Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are bio-based nanoparticles that, under the right conditions, self-align into chiral nematic liquid crystals with a helical pitch. In this work, we exploit the inherent confocal effect of second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to acquire highly resolved three-dimensional (3D) images of the chiral nematic phase of CNCs in a label-free manner. An in-depth analysis revealed a direct link between the observed variations in SHG intensity and the pitch. The highly contrasted 3D images provided unprecedented detail into liquid crystal’s native structure. Local alignment, morphology, as well as the presence of defects are readily revealed, and a provisional framework relating the SHG response to the orientational distribution of CNC nanorods within the liquid crystal structure is presented. This paper illustrates the numerous benefits of using SHG microscopy for visualizing CNC chiral nematic systems directly in the suspension-liquid phase and paves the road for using SHG microscopy to characterize other types of aligned CNC structures, in wet and dry states.

Abstract Image

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扭曲成像：通过 SHG 显微镜三维观察纤维素纳米晶体的手性向列相。

纤维素纳米晶体（CNCs）是一种生物基纳米颗粒，在适当的条件下可自我排列成具有螺旋间距的手性向列液晶。在这项工作中，我们利用二次谐波发生（SHG）显微镜固有的共焦效应，以无标记的方式获取了 CNC 手性向列相的高分辨率三维（3D）图像。深入分析发现，观察到的 SHG 强度变化与螺距之间存在直接联系。对比度极高的三维图像提供了前所未有的液晶原生结构细节。局部排列、形态以及缺陷的存在都一目了然，并提出了一个将 SHG 响应与液晶结构中 CNC 纳米棒的取向分布联系起来的临时框架。本文说明了使用 SHG 显微镜直接观察悬浮液相中 CNC 手性向列系统的诸多好处，并为使用 SHG 显微镜表征湿态和干态的其他类型对齐 CNC 结构铺平了道路。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Science Advances 综合性期刊-综合性期刊

CiteScore

21.40

自引率

1.50%

发文量

1937

审稿时长

29 weeks

期刊介绍： Science Advances, an open-access journal by AAAS, publishes impactful research in diverse scientific areas. It aims for fair, fast, and expert peer review, providing freely accessible research to readers. Led by distinguished scientists, the journal supports AAAS's mission by extending Science magazine's capacity to identify and promote significant advances. Evolving digital publishing technologies play a crucial role in advancing AAAS's global mission for science communication and benefitting humankind.