Modulation of\nthe Chirality and Dynamics of Self-Assembled\nNanocellulose-Chiral C‑Dot Film for Chiral Sensing Applications

The\ndetection and sensing of chirality using chiral biomaterials\nare growing areas of research in advanced bioelectronics. As a result,\nchiral-controlled biomaterials are crucial for advancing current technologies\nin chiral sensing applications within biosystems. A chiral carbon\ndot (C-dot) modulated self-assembled emissive cellulose nanocrystal\n(CNC) film is developed where the chirality of the CNC film can be\ntempered between left-handed and right-handed chirality after being\ndoped with chiral L/D-C-dots in CNCs (C-dot-CNC film), transferring\nthe chirality from C-dots to CNCs. The interaction between C-dots,\nCNCs, and carrier dynamics is investigated using a variety of steady-state\nand time-resolved PL spectroscopy techniques. The chiral C-dot enhanced\nthe protonic conductivity across the CNC via the formation of hydrogen\nbonds with its surface functional groups and water molecules. Further,\nthe chiral CNC-C-dots photoelectrodes demonstrate an excellent ability\nto distinguish between left-handed and right-handed small molecules.\nThese findings on the underlying mechanism of spin selectivity between\nchiral CNC-C-dot and chiral ligand hold promise for the development\nof efficient chiral-sensing electronic devices.