Preparation of fluorescent cellulose nanocrystal polymer composites with thermo-responsiveness through light-induced ATRP

In recent years, cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) based materials have attracted great research attention for different applications owing to their unique properties and facile modification chemistry. In this work, CNC based thermo-responsive fluorescent composites were successfully prepared via the metal-free surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of NIPAAm and a Schiff base containing dye (HDPAP). Results demonstrated CNC-poly (NIPAAm–HDPAP) composites display sensitive temperature-responsive coil-to-globule transition behavior at the temperature of lower critical solution temperature. The bright fluorescence offered by the Schiff base dye (HDPAP) was also confirmed by fluorescence spectra. Moreover, the preparation method of light meditated ATRP was proved to become the promising way in fabrication of multifunctional nanomaterials for its incomparable advantages, including low energy consumption, high efficiency, good monomer adaptation, free of transition metal ions. Graphic abstract