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Metal-free transparent luminescent cellulose films

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Abstract

As functional materials, luminescent films have a wide range of applications in terms of displays, light-emitting devices, safety signs and sensors. Cellulose is the most abundant renewable resource in the world and plays an important role in the field of membrane synthesis. Here, cellulose was dissolved in 7 % NaOH/12 % urea aqueous solution, and the regenerated cellulose films were prepared in acid media. N and S doping carbon quantum dots (C-QDs) were synthesized as the high-efficiency luminescent materials, and the nanocomposite films of cellulose/C-QD were prepared by fixing the C-QDs onto the surface of regenerated cellulose fibers. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy measurements were used to measure the structure and properties of the film. The as-prepared film was transparent and luminescent in the visible region with high mechanical strength. In addition, no metal was involved in the luminescent film, which makes it safe and lightweight, and the film has potential applications in many fields.

Graphical abstract

Metal-free cellulose/carbon QDs composite film was prepared, and the film was highly transparent and luminescent.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program (Nos. 2012AA051803 and 2012BAI27B00), the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2011CB921403) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 51373162).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, People’s Republic of China

    Jing Zeng & Lifeng Yan

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  1. Jing Zeng
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  2. Lifeng Yan
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Correspondence to Lifeng Yan.

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Zeng, J., Yan, L. Metal-free transparent luminescent cellulose films. Cellulose 22, 729–736 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-014-0485-y

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