The chiral liquid crystalline self-organization of cellulose nanocrystals into helical arrangements, giving the resulting materials photonic crystal properties and enhanced mechanical behavior, are comprehensively summarized and compared with other rod-like nanoparticles, for example, carbon nanotubes and fd virus. The consequences of the sensitive balance between liquid crystal formation and glass/gel formation are discussed in detail, in particular regarding the development toward control of helix pitch and orientation. Important topics for future studies are identified and suggestions for novel applications are made.
- Jan P F Lagerwall
- Christina Schütz
- Lennart Bergström
