Cellulose derivative-lanthanide complex film by hierarchical assembly process

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), quaternized cellulose (QC) and lanthanide (Ln) ion ternary complex thin film was fabricated by hierarchical assembly process. CMC is a weak anionic polyelectrolyte while QC is a cationic polyelectrolyte. Strictly controlling pH value and molar ratio, CMC and Ln ion were prepared into polymer-metal complex nano-particles (CMC@Ln) which exhibit negative charge on surface, and then the nano-particles were layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled with positively charged QC to prepare thin films. Three kinds of Ln ion, Ce³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Tb³⁺ were successfully incorporated into films separately, and the corresponding films showed blue, green and red fluorescence color. In addition, we can adjust the luminescence of the film with combination of CMC@Ce, CMC@Eu, and CMC@Tb complex nano-particles.