Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as carriers for a spirooxazine dye and its effect on photochromic efficiency

Bo Sun; Qingxi Hou; Zhibin He; Zehua Liu; Yonghao Ni

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.03.051

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as carriers for a spirooxazine dye and its effect on photochromic efficiency

Carbohydr Polym. 2014 Oct 13:111:419-24. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.03.051. Epub 2014 May 2.

Authors

Bo Sun¹, Qingxi Hou², Zhibin He³, Zehua Liu⁴, Yonghao Ni⁵

Affiliations

¹ Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Limerick Pulp and Paper Centre and Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3.
² Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China. Electronic address: qingxihou@tust.edu.cn.
³ Limerick Pulp and Paper Centre and Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3.
⁴ Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
⁵ Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Limerick Pulp and Paper Centre and Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3. Electronic address: yonghao@unb.ca.

PMID: 25037370
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.03.051

Abstract

Nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) as a renewable/sustainable material, has received much attention. Herein we studied CNC as carriers for a hydrophobic spirooxazine (SO)-based dye, 1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3'-[3H]naphtha[2,1-b][1,4]oxazine], which may have potential applications in reversible memory photo-devices, textiles, photo-sensitive paper coatings, and inkjet printing inks. Due to the high cost and water-insolubility of this dye, it is desirable to improve its coloration efficiency and water-dispersibility. The experimental approach was to use CNC as carriers for the SO dye, thus obtaining a stable photochromic dye in aqueous systems. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation confirmed that the SO dye adsorbed on the surface of the CNC, which functioned as carriers for the photochromic dye. An impregnation process was adopted to anchor the dye onto cellulosic paper. It was found that the use of CNC resulted in a significant improvement in the SO coloration efficiency. The color stability and fatigue resistance were also studied. The use of CNC as carriers for a hydrophobic compound, its enhancement of associated properties, and its subsequent application were demonstrated.

Keywords: Carriers; Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC); Coloration efficiency; Hydrophobic compound; Photochromic dye.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cellulose / chemistry*
Coloring Agents / administration & dosage*
Coloring Agents / chemistry
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Nanoparticles / chemistry*
Oxazines / administration & dosage*
Oxazines / chemistry

Substances

Coloring Agents
Oxazines
Cellulose