Preparation of cellulose-based fluorescent elastomers via RAFT polymerization and lanthanide coordination

High-performance sustainable elastomers with tunable fluorescent behavior designed via robust and facile strategies are highly pursued. In this work, cellulose- graft -poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate- co -2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate) (Cell- g -P(THFA- co -AAEM)) copolymers with different compositions were prepared through homogeneous reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. In this design, cellulose acts as the backbone, while the hemicellulose derivative tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFA) and the petroleum-based monomer 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate (AAEM) play the role of soft and rigid segments in the grafted side chains. By tuning the THFA/AAEM feed ratio and cellulose content, the mechanical and adhesion properties of these Cell- g -P(THFA- co -AAEM) copolymers were well manipulated. In addition, the β -diketone groups in THFA repeating units can be further used as the ligands to form dynamic networks in the copolymer matrix with terbium (Tb 3+ ) and europium (Eu 3+ ) ions via lanthanide coordination. The resulting coordinated Cell- g -P(THFA- co -AAEM) copolymers exhibit significantly improved tensile strength and tunable fluorescent colors by adjusting the Tb 3+ /Eu 3+ ratio. The combination of bio-based resources and lanthanide coordination can be further performed to achieve strong sustainable elastomers with improved macroscopic mechanical properties and unique fluorescent behavior.