Influence of binding mechanism on labeling efficiency and luminous properties of fluorescent cellulose nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have excellent properties, such as reproducibility, low biodegradability and a large amount of reactive hydroxyl groups on the surface. This study focused on the labeling efficiency and fluorescent properties of the fluorescent labeling of CNCs by means of electrostatic adsorption and covalent bonding. The CNCs in the sample were approximately 94.76% successfully labeled with dyes, and the number of dye molecules adsorbed by per CNC was approximately 208 by electrostatic adsorption. For the sample covalently linked, the efficiency of the fluorescent labeling was 95.51%, and the number of dye molecules attached to per CNC was 1038. The quenching mode of the fluorescent CNCs was dynamic quenching. The fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield of the fluorescent CNCs increased by 1-2 times compared to the free dye. A thorough investigation of the relation between the binding mechanism and the fluorescent properties in fluorescent CNCs was conducted.