Phase transitions of cellulose nanocrystal suspensions from nonlinear oscillatory shear

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) self-assemble in water suspensions into liquid crystalline assemblies. Here, we elucidate the microstructural changes associated with nonlinear deformations (2–9 wt%) CNC through rheological analysis, that was performed parallel coupled rheology—polarized light imaging. We show material parameters from Fourier-transform rheology and stress decomposition are sensitive to all phases investigated, i.e. isotropic, biphasic crystalline. This is contrast steady shear linear viscoelastic dynamic moduli where three-region behavior weak strain overshoot cannot distinguish between phases. Thus, inter-cycle intra-cycle investigated a more approach relate measurements phase behavior.