Formation of cellulose-based electrostatic layer-by-layer films in a magnetic field

Cellulose has been shown to demonstrate negative diamagnetic anisotropy, and cellulose nanocrystals dispersed in water form a stable chiral nematic liquid crystal phase above a critical concentration. We review some consequences of these two observations when the chiral nematic phase is placed in a magnetic field. Of interest was the possibility of making a layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte film, where the cellulose nanocrystal component was oriented by an applied magnetic field. Preliminary experiments indicated that orientation of the nanocrystal layer could be achieved, but the process was slow.