Piezoelectric Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystals Thin Films

Ultrathin films of aligned cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were assembled on mica supports by using electric field-assisted shear. The relationship between polarization gradients and strain mechanics of the obtained films was examined by monitoring their deflection with an atomic force microscope operated in contact mode. The piezoelectric response of the films was ascribed to the collective contribution of the asymmetric crystalline structure of the cellulose crystals. The magnitude of the effective shear piezoelectric constant (d(25)) of highly ordered CNC films was determined to be 2.1 angstrom/V, which is comparable to that of a reference film of a piezoelectric metal oxide.