Structural polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin form crystalline microfibrils 3-4 nm in width in living bodies. We have studied to prepare completely individualized nanofibrils from these biomass using environmentally friendly and efficient processes. Fundamental and application studies of these new bio-based nanofibers have been carried out to utilize them as highly functional separation films, light-weight and strong nanocomposites, transparent gas-barrier films, catalyst-supports, aerogels etc., through position-selective and efficient surface modifications, to create a sustainable society.

References
Kobayashi, Y., Saito, T., Isogai, A., “Liquid-crystalline nanocellulose aerogels for high-performance heat insulators with optical transparency and mechanical toughness”, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, in press, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201405123.

Wu, C.-N., Saito, T., Yang, Q., Fukuzumi, H., Isogai, A., “Improvement of hydrophobic nature of composite film surfaces by assembly of hydrophilic nanocellulose and nanoclay components”, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 6, 12707-12712 (2014).

Shimizu, M., Saito, T., Isogai, A., “Bulky quaternary alkylammonium counterions enhance nanodispersibility of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose in diverse solvents”, Biomacromolecules, 15, 1904−1909 (2014).

Saito, T., Oaki, Y., Nishimura, T., Isogai, A., Takashi Kato, T., “Bioinspired stiff and elastic composites of nanocellulose-reinforced amorphous CaCO3”, Materials Horizons, 1, 321−325 (2014).

Wu, C.-N., Yang, Q., Takeuchi, M., Saito T., Isogai, A., “Highly tough and transparent layered composites of nanocellulose and synthetic silicate”, Nanoscale, 6, 392−399 (2014).

Questionnaire 2014/Shinshu University Faculty of Textile Science and Technology Fii