Preparation of multicolor luminescent cellulose fibers containing lanthanide doped inorganic nanomaterials

In this paper, the UV sensitive optically active cellulose fibers contained of 0.5% w/w Sr2CeO4, Gd4O3F6:5%Eu3+ and CeF3:5%Tb3+ with respectively blue, red and green emission are described. The fibers were formed from an 8% by weight cellulose spinning solution in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO). The modifiers were chosen because of their specific color of emitted light. Photoluminescent particles were introduced into the polymer matrix during the dissolution process of cellulose in NMMO. The emission intensity and excitation energy of the final cellulosic luminescent products were examined by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The degree of dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The influence of modifier's particles on the mechanical properties of the fibers was determined.