Flexible luminescent CdSe/bacterial cellulose nanocomoposite membranes

Flexible luminescent membranes based on bacterial cellulose (BC) were successfully fabricated by the in situ synthesis of the CdSe nanoparticles on the BC nanofibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed that CdSe nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed on the BC nanofibers. The thermal stability of BC was greatly increased with the inclusion of CdSe nanoparticles. The CdSe/BC nanocomposite exhibited good photoluminescence properties and excellent mechanical properties. This work provides an effective method for the construction of flexible BC membranes with photoluminescence properties, which are promising for applications in the fields of security papers, sensors and flexible luminescent membranes.

► Flexible luminescent nanocomposite membrane is prepared by in situ method.
► Thermal stability of bacterial cellulose is improved by embedding CdSe nanoparticles.
► The nanocomposite shows good mechanical properties and photoluminescence properties.