Dual Responsive Cellulose Microspheres with High Solid-State Fluorescence Emission

We report here a facile approach to prepare cellulose microspheres with high solid-state fluorescence using 40% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH). The fluorescence quenching effect due to the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and solid-state quenching due to aggregation of fluorophore was systematically investigated. Microspheres with the detectable magnetic response and fluorescence quantum yield as high as 0.57 (FMB 414) was obtained by optimizing the reaction conditions. Such a high quantum yield has not been reported before for dual stimuli-responsive fluorescent microspheres. The magnetic and fluorescent properties were found to be durable even after multiple washing cycles. These dual responsive cellulose microspheres can be added as security fibers to authenticate documents such as passports, degree certificates, currency notes, financial documents etc.Graphical abstract
Source: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research