21:T4ff,The development of eco-friendly anti-counterfeiting materials with high optical transparency and bright luminescence in the aggregate state is tremendously challenging. Herein, waterborne polyurethane/tetraphenylethylene-cellulose nanocrystal (WPU/TPE-CNC) nanocomposite aqueous solutions and films were prepared via direct blending aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active fluorescent CNCs (TPE-CNCs) with WPU and then applied in the anti-counterfeiting field. TPE-CNCs are compatible with WPU and dispersed homogeneously in the nanocomposite aqueous solutions and films. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of these films significantly improved with the increase in the content of TPE-CNCs. WPU/TPE-CNC nanocomposite films display high transparency (above 80%), excellent fluorescence properties, high mechanical strength, and good flexibility and then successfully applied to anti-counterfeit marking. Moreover, the dispersions of the aqueous WPU/TPE-CNC nanocomposite were nearly colorless and demonstrated promise as fluorescent anti-counterfeiting inks. This novel eco-friendly nanocomposite exhibited the potential for applications in anti-counterfeiting, fluorescent transparent paper and coating, fluorescent 3D printing, and optical/sensing devices.22:T4c7,Previously, we found that aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogen tetraphenylethylene (TPE) based fluorescent cellulose nanocrystals (TPE-CNCs) showed excellent AIE-active fluorescence properties and high selectivity and sensitivity for detecting nitrophenol explosives in aqueous solutions. Here, we further develop the application of TPE-CNCs for fluorescence detection of Fe³⁺ in aqueous solutions. The fluorescence of TPE-CNC aqueous suspensions is rapidly quenched (response time less than 10 s) due to the electron-transfer process between TPE and Fe³⁺ upon addition of Fe³⁺. TPE-CNCs have high sensitivity and selectivity toward Fe³⁺ over a broad pH range from 4 to 10. The limit of detection is determined to be 264 nM, which is below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations (5.36 μM) for Fe³⁺. Given the superior properties of TPE-CNCs, it has huge potential to be applied as a rapid and visual evaluation tool for drinking water quality. Collectively, we explore and develop fluorescent cellulose nanocrystals for multi-functional applications and TPE-CNCs can be used for practical applications in sensing, sewage treatment and bioimaging.

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