Breaking the Thermal Barrier through Unprecedented High-Temperature Stability in Bio-Based Alkyl Glycoside Liquid Crystals

Conventional theories posit that low-molecular-weight biomaterials composed of CHON elements lack inherent thermal stability, restricting their use in high-temperature applications. Unexpectedly, we discovered that alkyl glycosides (APGs) with varying alkyl chain lengths exhibit exceptional thermal stability, maintaining structural integrity in the range of 580-930 °C. This stability arises from a unique self-assembled nanosphere cage structure, where hydrophobic monomers embed into polymeric nanorods. The resulting architecture forms a robust protective scaffold and a π-π conjugated hexagonal crystal system that enhances heat resistance. These findings overturn traditional assumptions about the thermos limitations of biomaterials, positioning APGs as lightweight, heat-resistant candidates for aerospace, defense, and electronic applications.