Multifunctional CNF-Based Composite with Photochromic and Upconversion Luminescence Properties for Advanced Anticounterfeiting Applications
10 affiliations
- 1Universität Hamburg , , Haidkrugsweg 1 , ,
- 2Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , Notkestr. 85 , ,
- 3Technical University of Munich , , James-Franck-Str. 1 , ,
- 4Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Technical University of Munich , Lichtenbergstraße 1 , ,
- 5Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , , 6 Cyclotron Rd , , ,
- 6UPES , , , ,
- 7INRAE , , ,
- 8BIBS Facility, PROBE Infrastructure , ,
- 9Fraunhofer Center for Applied Nanotechnology CAN (A Research Division of Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research-IAP, Potsdam) , Grindelallee 117 , ,
- 10KTH Royal Institute of Technology , , Teknikringen 56-58 , ,
Abstract
The development of advanced security materials with multimodal optical responses is of increasing relevance for anticounterfeiting technologies. In this study, we report the successful synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a multifunctional composite based on cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) covalently functionalized with photochromic PSPA oligomers and cross-linked with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Covalent grafting of PSPA onto the CNF backbone was done via Cu0-mediated radical polymerization (SET-LRP) and confirmed by spectroscopic analyses, while microscopic and structural investigations verified the homogeneous incorporation of UCNPs within the nanofibril-based hybrid gel. The resulting material combines reversible photochromic behavior under ultraviolet irradiation with near-infrared (NIR)-to-visible upconversion luminescence, enabling dual-mode optical signaling. The nanocomposite exhibited distinct and reproducible color changes upon UV exposure and characteristic luminescent emission under NIR excitation, demonstrating its suitability for advanced anticounterfeiting applications. Furthermore, the formulation as a stable, printable gel underscores its practical processability and compatibility with scalable anticounterfeiting technologies. The integration of photochromic and upconversion optical functionalities within a renewable CNF-based platform provides a robust, versatile, and sustainable approach for secure labeling and product authentication.
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BibTeX
@article{mietner2026multifunctional,
title = {{Multifunctional CNF-Based Composite with Photochromic and Upconversion Luminescence Properties for Advanced Anticounterfeiting Applications}},
author = {J. Benedikt Mietner and Dhanya Girija Raveendran and Enguerrand Barba and Shouzheng Chen and Benedikt Sochor and Sarathlal Koyiloth Vayalil and Xavier Falourd and Rajesh Komban and Christoph Gimmler and Peter Müller-Buschbaum and Stephan V. Roth and Julien R. G. Navarro},
journal = {ACS Omega},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1021/acsomega.6c09372},
url = {https://pubs.acs.org/acsodf/article/11/42/65905/5451693/Multifunctional-CNF-Based-Composite-with},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Multifunctional CNF-Based Composite with Photochromic and Upconversion Luminescence Properties for Advanced Anticounterfeiting Applications
AU - J. Benedikt Mietner
AU - Dhanya Girija Raveendran
AU - Enguerrand Barba
AU - Shouzheng Chen
AU - Benedikt Sochor
AU - Sarathlal Koyiloth Vayalil
AU - Xavier Falourd
AU - Rajesh Komban
AU - Christoph Gimmler
AU - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
AU - Stephan V. Roth
AU - Julien R. G. Navarro
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - ACS Omega
DO - 10.1021/acsomega.6c09372
UR - https://pubs.acs.org/acsodf/article/11/42/65905/5451693/Multifunctional-CNF-Based-Composite-with
AB - The development of advanced security materials with multimodal optical responses is of increasing relevance for anticounterfeiting technologies. In this study, we report the successful synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a multifunctional composite based on cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) covalently functionalized with photochromic PSPA oligomers and cross-linked with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Covalent grafting of PSPA onto the CNF backbone was done via Cu0-mediated radical polymerization (SET-LRP) and confirmed by spectroscopic analyses, while microscopic and structural investigations verified the homogeneous incorporation of UCNPs within the nanofibril-based hybrid gel. The resulting material combines reversible photochromic behavior under ultraviolet irradiation with near-infrared (NIR)-to-visible upconversion luminescence, enabling dual-mode optical signaling. The nanocomposite exhibited distinct and reproducible color changes upon UV exposure and characteristic luminescent emission under NIR excitation, demonstrating its suitability for advanced anticounterfeiting applications. Furthermore, the formulation as a stable, printable gel underscores its practical processability and compatibility with scalable anticounterfeiting technologies. The integration of photochromic and upconversion optical functionalities within a renewable CNF-based platform provides a robust, versatile, and sustainable approach for secure labeling and product authentication.
SN - 2470-1343
ER -