Photoluminescent Self-Healable Waterborne Polyurethane/Mo
and S Codoped Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanocomposite with Bioimaging
and Encryption Capability
posted on 2024-02-23, 13:40authored bySamiran Morang, Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay, Nobomi Borah, Annesha Kar, Biman B. Mandal, Niranjan Karak
Creating
polymers that combine various functions within a single
system expands the potential applications of such polymeric materials.
However, achieving polymer materials that possess simultaneously elevated
strength, toughness, and self-healing capabilities, along with special
properties, remains a significant challenge. The present study demonstrates
the preparation of S and Mo codoped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) (Mo@S–CN) nanohybrid and the fabrication
of self-healing waterborne polyurethane (SHWPU)/Mo@S–CN (SHWPU/NS)
nanocomposites for advanced applications. Mo@S–CN is an intriguing
combination of g-C3N4 nanosheets and molybdenum
oxide (MoOx) nanorods, forming a complex
lamellar structure. This unique arrangement significantly improves
the inborn properties of SHWPU to an impressive degree, especially
mechanical strength (28.37–34.11 MPa), fracture toughness (73.65–140.98
MJ m–2), and thermal stability (340.17–348.01
°C), and introduces fluorescence activity into the matrix. Interestingly,
a representative SHWPU/NS0.5 film is so tough that a dumbbell
of 15 kg, which is 53,003 times heavier than the weight of the film,
can be successfully lifted without any significant crack. Remarkably,
fluorescence activity is developed because of electronic excitations
occurring within the repeating polymeric tris-triazine units of the
Mo@S–CN nanohybrid. This fascinating feature was effectively
harnessed by assessing the usability of aqueous dispersions of the
Mo@S–CN nanohybrid and photoluminescent SHWPU/NS nanocomposites
as sustainable stains for bioimaging of human dermal fibroblast cells
and anticounterfeiting materials, respectively. The in vitro fluorescence
tagging test showed blue emission from 365 nm excitation, green emission
from 470 nm excitation, and red emission from 545 nm excitation. Most
importantly, in vitro hemocompatibility assessment, in vitro cytocompatibility,
cell proliferation assessment, and cellular morphology assessment
supported the biocompatibility nature of the Mo@S–CN nanohybrid
and SHWPU/NS nanocomposites. Thus, these materials can be used for
advanced applications including bioimaging.