Posted in | News | Medical Sensor

Insoluble Photonic Cellulose Nanocrystal Patch for Calcium Ion Sensing in Sweat

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) is a developing bio-based material, and it has been extensively employed in fields like bioplastics, electronics, and energy.

Insoluble Photonic Cellulose Nanocrystal Patch for Calcium Ion Sensing in Sweat

Highly elastic hydrogels constructed by heat-induced hydrogen bond remodeling can switch between wet and dry states. Image Credit: ZHANG Fusheng and LI Qiongya

But the functional failure of such materials in wet or liquid surroundings unavoidably impairs their development in membrane separation, biomedicine, wearable devices, and environmental monitoring.

Currently, a research group headed by Professor Guangyan Qing from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported an insoluble, tenable, and chiral photonic cellulose nanocrystal patch available for calcium ion (Ca2+) sensing in sweat.

The new study performed offers a new concept for the functionalization of CNC.

The study was reported in the journal Small on April 13th, 2023.

An easy and efficient technique to fabricate insoluble CNC-based hydrogels has been developed by scientists. They discovered that by using intermolecular hydrogen bond reconstruction, thermal dehydration allowed the improved CNC composite photonic film to develop into a stable hydrogel network in an aqueous solution.

Furthermore, they denoted that it is possible to reversibly switch the hydrogels between dry and wet states, which was appropriate for particular functionalization.

The initiation of functionalized molecules by adsorption swelling in a liquid surrounding led to a hydrogel with freeze resistance (–20 °C), good biocompatibility, strong adhesion, and high sensitivity to Ca2+

This work is expected to facilitate the application of sustainable cellulose sensors to monitor other metabolites (i.e., glucose, urea, and vitamins, etc.). It also lays foundation for digitally controlled hydrogel systems operating in environment monitoring, membrane separation, and wearable devices.

Guangyan Qing, Professor, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Journal Reference:

Li, Q., et al. (2023) Sustainable, Insoluble, and Photonic Cellulose Nanocrystal Patches for Calcium Ion Sensing in Sweat. Small. doi.org/10.1002/smll.202207932

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.