The cation-controlled and hydrogen bond-mediated shear-thickening behaviour of a tree-fern isolated polysaccharide

- Shear-thickening property of Mamaku is lost upon removal of salts.
- Mono- and divalent cations reinstate shear-thickening.
- Trivalent cations result in precipitation and re-dissolution of polysaccharide.
- Cations screen electrostatic charges and allow formation of hydrogen bonds explaining shear thickening.