Designing Highly Luminescent Cellulose Nanocrystals with Modulated Morphology for Multifunctional Bioimaging Materials

Abstract

Spherical cellulose nanocrystals (SCNs) and rod-shaped cellulose nanocrystals (RCNs) were extracted from different cellulose materials. The two shape forms of cellulose nanocrystals (CNs) were designed with a combination of isothiocyanate (FITC), and both the obtained FITC-SCNs and FITC-RCNs exhibited high fluorescence brightness. The surfaces of SCNs and RCNs were subjected to a secondary imino group by a Schiff reaction and then covalently bonded to the isothiocyanate group of FITC through a secondary imino group to obtain fluorescent cellulose nanocrystals (FITC-CNs). The absolute ζ-potential and dispersion stability of FITC-CNs (FITC-SCNs and FITC-RCNs) were improved, which also promoted the increase in the fluorescence quantum yield. FITC-RCNs had a fluorescence quantum yield of 30.7%, and FITC-SCNs had a morphological advantage (better dispersion, etc.), resulting in a higher fluorescence quantum yield of 35.9%. Cell cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that the process of FITC-CNs entering mouse osteoblasts (MC3T3) did not destroy the cell membrane, showing good biocompatibility. On the other hand, FITC-CNs with good dispersibility can significantly enhance poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA); their mechanical properties were improved (the highest sample reached to 243%) and their fluorescent properties were imparted. This study provides a simple surface functionalization method to produce high-luminance fluorescent materials for bioimaging, multifunctional nanoenhancement/dispersion marking, and anticounterfeiting materials.

Pickering Emulsion Stabilized By Hydrophobically Modified Spherical Cellulose Nanocrystals With Special Response To pH

“…After 14 days of storage at room temperature, the particle size of the emulsion remains the same. This is the best result currently obtained with cellulose as a stabilizer, as well as provides a better development prospect for the research of nano-Pickering emulsion (Bao et al 2021;Costa et al 2018;Fan et al 2019). S-CNCs modi ed by OSA still maintains its unique low viscosity characteristics while its emulsifying ability is improved (Fig.…”

Wood‐Derived Carbon Materials and Light‐Emitting Materials

“…Because of their sustainability, biocompatibility, and safety, [ 172 ] wood‐derived fluorescent materials have been widely applicable in bioimaging. [ 173–175 ] Zhang’s group developed a rare‐earth‐doped phosphor‐containing cellulose hydrogel for in vivo imaging ( Figure a). [ 176 ] The cellulose hydrogel emitted intense green fluorescence with a long‐lasting afterglow under UV irradiation.…”

Polysaccharide-Based Nanomaterials for Ocular Drug Delivery: A Perspective

“…Polysaccharides can serve as stabilizers for other components, such as functional nanomaterials and biological macromolecules, in constructing polysaccharidebased nanohybrids (Zhan et al, 2019;Hammi et al, 2020). The participation of polysaccharides can also enhance the biocompatibility and biodegradability of exogenous materials, especially inorganic nanoparticles (Fan et al, 2019;Alaei et al, 2020;Dincȃ et al, 2020;Zheng et al, 2020). Santana et al prepared ZnS-coated CdS quantum dots and ZnScoated AgInS 2 quantum dots by an aqueous route using chitosan conjugated with bevacizumab.…”