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Published on: June 17, 2014
Cellulose derivative-lanthanide complex film by hierarchical assembly process
Ali A Altam1, Jiali Xu2, Mahmoud H M A Shibraen2
1Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials & State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
This study details creating novel thin films using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and quaternized cellulose (QC) complexed with lanthanide (Ln) ions. These films display tunable luminescence, offering potential for advanced optical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is an anionic polyelectrolyte, while quaternized cellulose (QC) is a cationic polyelectrolyte.
- Lanthanide (Ln) ions are known for their unique luminescent properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate ternary complex thin films of CMC, QC, and Ln ions using a hierarchical assembly process.
- To investigate the luminescent properties of these novel thin films.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of polymer-metal complex nanoparticles (CMC@Ln) by combining CMC and Ln ions under controlled pH and molar ratios.
- Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of negatively charged CMC@Ln nanoparticles with positively charged QC to form thin films.
- Incorporation of three different Ln ions (Ce3+, Eu3+, Tb3+) into the films.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of thin films containing Ce3+, Eu3+, and Tb3+ ions.
- Observation of distinct blue, green, and red fluorescence colors corresponding to the incorporated Ln ions.
- Demonstration of adjustable luminescence by combining different CMC@Ln nanoparticles.
Conclusions:
- Hierarchical assembly provides an effective method for creating Ln-containing polyelectrolyte thin films.
- The fabricated films exhibit tunable luminescence based on the incorporated lanthanide ions.
- These materials hold promise for applications in optical devices and sensors.
