

FOLLOWUS
College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Sustainable Pulp and Paper Technology and Biomass Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
lirenai@njfu.edu.cn
Received:04 June 2026,
Accepted:04 August 2026,
Online First:30 September 2026,
Published:2026-09
Scan QR Code
Li, R. A.; Cao, Y. C.; Zheng, X. Y. Sequential covalent locking of cellulosic eutectic systems enables transparent high-strength and luminescent engineering glasses. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3832-1
Ren-Ai Li, Yu-Chen Cao, Xiao-Yue Zheng. Sequential Covalent Locking of Cellulosic Eutectic Systems Enables Transparent High-strength and Luminescent Engineering Glasses[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-12.
Li, R. A.; Cao, Y. C.; Zheng, X. Y. Sequential covalent locking of cellulosic eutectic systems enables transparent high-strength and luminescent engineering glasses. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3832-1 DOI:
Ren-Ai Li, Yu-Chen Cao, Xiao-Yue Zheng. Sequential Covalent Locking of Cellulosic Eutectic Systems Enables Transparent High-strength and Luminescent Engineering Glasses[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-12. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-026-3832-1.
The fabrication of functional cellulose engineering solids holds great promise for sustainable optics but is severely hindered by the processing paradox imposed by its recalcitrant hydrogen-bonded architecture. To overcome this bottleneck
an orchestrated sequential covalent molecular locking strategy has been reported to transition dynamic cellulosic eutectic melts into robust luminescent glass. Utilizing a cellulose acetate butyrate/thymol eutectic plasticization platform
primary anchoring was implemented
via
isocyanate chemistry
followed by
in situ
3D crosslinking. This topological reconfiguration induces microscopic network densification and network vitrification
leading to enhanced tensile strength (from about 10.2 MPa to about 55.3 MPa)
>
90% transparency
and high hydrolytic stability. Mechanistically
the dense network establishes extreme space confinement
triggering the restriction of molecular motion to suppress nonradiative decay and activate efficient solid-state luminescence with programmable multicolor outputs. This deconstruction–locking–activation approach offers a versatile chemical method for developing next-generation high-performance biomass-derived functional materials.
Li, T.; Chen, C.; Brozena, A. H.; Zhu, J. Y.; Xu, L.; Driemeier, C.; Dai, J.; Rojas, O. J.; Isogai, A.; Wågberg, L.; Hu, L. Developing fibrillated cellulose as a sustainable technological material. Nature 2021 , 590 , 47−56..
Hamedi, M. M.; Sandberg, M.; Olsson, R. T.; Pedersen, J.; Benselfelt, T.; Wohlert, J. Wood and cellulose: the most sustainable advanced materials for past, present, and future civilizations. Adv. Mater. 2025 , 37 , e2415787..
Huang, C.; Yu, H.; Gao, Y.; Chen, Y.; Abdalkarim, S. Y. H.; Tam, K. C. Recent advances in green and efficient cellulose utilization through structure deconstruction and regeneration. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025 , 35 , 2424591..
Chen, L.; Yu, L.; Qi, L.; Eichhorn, S. J.; Isogai, A.; Lizundia, E.; Zhu, J. Y.; Chen, C. Cellulose nanocomposites by supramolecular chemistry engineering. Nat. Rev. Mater. 2025 , 10 , 728−749..
Qin, Q.; Zeng, S.; Duan, G.; Liu, Y.; Han, X.; Yu, R.; Huang, Y.; Zhang, C.; Han, J.; Jiang, S. “Bottom-up” and “top-down” strategies toward strong cellulose-based materials. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2024 , 53, 9306−9343..
Wang, S.; Lu, A.; Zhang, L. Recent advances in regenerated cellulose materials. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 53 , 169−206..
Liao, L.; Li, B.; Shi, Z.; Li, K.; Lu, Y.; Liu, Y.; Zhou, Q. Ultrastrong and tough paper structure from densified hybrids of multiscale cellulose fibers. Nat. Commun. 2026 , 17 , 3889..
Wang, S.; Zhang, L.; Ma, R.; Yu, J.; Zhang, X.; Shi, C.; Ma, L.; Li, T.; Huang, Y.; Hu, Y.; Fan, Y.; Wang, Z. A novel one-pot strategy to construct 3D-printable cellulose nanofiber/poly (deep eutectic solvent) conductive elastomers. Chem. Eng. J. 2023 , 454 , 140022..
Lu, C.; Wang, X.; Shen, Y.; Wang, C.; Wang, J.; Yong, Q.; Chu, F. Liquid-free, anti-freezing, solvent-resistant, cellulose-derived ionic conductive elastomer for stretchable wearable electronics and triboelectric nanogenerators. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022 , 32 , 2207714..
Wu, C.; Li, J.; Zhang, Y.-Q.; Li, X.; Wang, S.-Y.; Li, D.-Q. Cellulose dissolution, modification, and the derived hydrogel: a review. ChemSusChem 2023 , 16 , e202300518..
Li, X.; Wan, C.; Tao, T.; Chai, H.; Huang, Q.; Chai, Y.; Wu, Y. An overview of the development status and applications of cellulose-based functional materials. Cellulose 2024 , 31 , 61−99..
Mani, K. A.; Kumar, L.; Barrios, N.; Agate, S.; Mittal, A.; Yarbrough, J.; Jameel, H.; Lucia, L.; Pal, L. Emergence of deep eutectic solvents (DES): chemistry, preparation, properties, and applications in biorefineries and critical materials. Prog. Mater. Sci. 2026 , 157 , 101586..
Nie, Y.; Zhou, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Sun, D.; Wu, D.; Ban, L.; Nanda, S.; Xu, C.; Zhang, H. Sustainable synthesis of functional materials assisted by deep eutectic solvents for biomedical, environmental, and energy applications. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025 , 35 , 2418957..
Abranches, D. O.; Coutinho, J. A. P. Everything you wanted to know about deep eutectic solvents but were afraid to be told. Annu. Rev. Chem. Biomol. Eng. 2023 , 14 , 141−163..
Verdía Barbará, P.; Choudhary, H.; Nakasu, P. S.; Al-Ghatta, A.; Han, Y.; Hopson, C.; Aravena, R. I.; Mishra, D. K.; Ovejero-Pérez, A.; Simmons, B. A.; Hallett, J. P. Recent advances in the use of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for lignocellulosic biorefineries and biobased chemical and material production. Chem. Rev. 2025 , 125 , 5461−5583..
Mota-Morales, J. D.; Morales-Narváez, E. Transforming nature i nto the next generation of bio-based flexible devices: new avenues using deep eutectic systems. Matter 2021 , 4 , 2141−2162..
Tong, Z.; Meng, J.; Liu, S.; Liu, Y.; Zeng, S.; Wang, L.; Xia, Q.; Yu, H. Room temperature dissolving cellulose with a metal salt hydrate-based deep eutectic solvent. Carbohydr. Polym. 2021 , 272 , 118473..
Zhu, J.; Shao, C.; Hao, S.; Zhang, J.; Ren, W.; Wang, B.; Xiao, L.; Wang, C.; Shao, L. Recent progress on the dissolution of cellulose in deep eutectic solvents. Ind. Crops Prod. 2025 , 228 , 120844..
Sun, X.; Zhu, Y.;Zhu, J.; Le, K.; Servati, P.; Jiang, F. Tough and ultrastretchable liquid-free ion conductor strengthened by deep eutectic solvent hydrolyzed cellulose microfibers. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022 , 32 , 2202533..
Zhong, Y.; Wu, J.; Kang, H.; Liu, R. Choline hydroxide based deep eutectic solvent for dissolving cellulose. Green Chem. 2022 , 24 , 2464−2475..
Xu, K. J.; Zhang, B. Q.; Qiao, X.; Liu, C. Y. Cellulose solubility in deep eutectic solvent s: inspecting quantitative hydrogen-bonding analysis. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2023 , 41 , 75−83..
Zhao, Y.; Zhang, K.; Gan, P.; Li, J.; Yang, G.; Xu, Q.; Wang, B.; Zhang, L.; Chen, J. Dissolution and regeneration behavior of cellulose in a choline hydroxide/urea/zinc glycinate ternary deep eutectic solvent. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2025 , 305 , 141075..
Cao, Y.; Li, R.-A. A solvent-free route to fully recyclable, high-performance cellulosic plastics. Green Chem. 2025 , 27 , 12819−12829..
Fan, X.; Wang, Y.; Jiao, Y.; Zhou, X.; Tang, X.; Zhao, C.; Fan, W.; Guo, Y.; Wang, D.; Wang, Q.; Xiao, Z.; Xie, Y.; Wang, Y. Aequorea victoria -inspired covalent anchoring enables water-resistant and scalable room-temperature phosphorescence in cellulose. Adv. Mater. 2026 , 38, e20138..
Peng, F.; Chen, Y.; Liu, H.; Chen, P.; Peng, F.; Qi, H. Color-tunable, excitation-dependent, and water stimulus-responsive room-temperature phosphorescence cellulose for versatile applications. Adv. Mater. 2023 , 35 , 2304032..
Jia, R.; Tian, W.; Bai, H.; Zhang, J.; Wang, S.; Zhang, J. Amine-responsive cellulose-based ratiometric fluorescent materials for real-time and visual detection of shrimp and crab freshness. Nat. Commun. 2019 , 10 , 795..
Zhang, H.; Cao, Y.; Hu, Y.; Liu, Z.; Li, R.-A. Dynamically mechanochromic, fluorescence-responsive, and underwater sensing cellulose nanocrystal-based conductive elastomers. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2025 , 296 , 139681..
Meng, Y.; He, Z.; Jia, Z.; Zhao, H.; Sha, L.; Long, Z. Bio-based multi-stimulus-responsive films exhibiting circularly polarized fluorescence. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 523 , 168451..
Hoang, V.-K.; Ku, K.; Yeo, H. Design and evaluation of a reprocessable bismaleimide thermoset: enhancing functionality and sustainability compatibility. ACS Macro Lett. 2024 , 13 , 1279−1285..
Zhao, Q.; Wang, X. Y.; Hu, Y. H. The application of highly soluble amine-terminated aromatic polyimides with pendent tert-butyl groups as a tougher for epoxy resin. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 33 , 1359−1372..
Ramírez-Barroso, S.; Romeo-Gella, F.; Fernández-García, J. M.; Feng, S.; Martínez-Fernández, L.; García-Fresnadillo, D.; Corral, I.; Martín, N.; Wannemacher, R. Curved nanographenes: multiple emission, thermally activated delayed fluorescence, and non-radiative decay. Adv. Mater. 2023 , 35 , 2212064..
Mitra, M.; Mrózek, O.; Putscher, M.; Guhl, J.; Hupp, B.; Belyaev, A.; Marian,C. M.; Steffen, A. Structural control of highly efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence in carbene zinc (II) dithiolates. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024 , 63 , e202316300..
Ke, H.-M.; Tsai, I. J. Understanding and using fungal bioluminescence–Recent progress and future perspectives. Curr. Opin. Green Sustain. Chem. 2022 , 33 , 100570..
Yu, X.; Wei, P.; Qu, C.; Kong, C.; Du, H. Sustainable bioenergy manufacturing in plants. Plant Commun. 2026 , 7 , 101711..
Li, R.-A.; Su, C.; Li, M.; Cao, Y. Innovative green synthesis of hydrophobic covalent networks using ethyl cellulose/thymol eutectic systems. Green Chem. 2024 , 26 , 10529−10537..
Zhao, R.; Sun, Y.; Shi, Y.; Tang, J.; Mao, Z.; Chen, S. Adjacent-bonding interconnected polymer networks enable lightweight glass-imitation materials with ultrahigh modulus and transparency. ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2026 , 8 , 3048−3059..
Wang, D.; Xin, Y.; Yao, D.; Li, X.; Ning, H.; Zhang, H.; Wang, Y.; Ju, X.; He, Z.; Yang, Z.; Fan, W.; Li, P.; Zheng, Y. Shining light on porous liquids: from fundamentals to syntheses, applications and future challenges. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022 , 32 , 2104162..
Yang, Z.; Zhang, J.; Liu, H.; Hu, J.; Wang, X.; Bai, W.; Zhang, W.; Yang, Y.; Gu, Z.; Li, Y. A bioinspired strategy toward UV absorption enhancement of melanin-like polymers for Sun protection. CCS Chem. 2023 , 5 , 2389−2402..
Yang, Z.; Liu, H.; Zhao, J.; Wang, C.; Li, H.; Wang, X.; Yang, Y.; Wu, H.; Gu, Z.; Li, Y. UV absorption enhanced polydopamine coating. Mater. Horiz. 2024 , 11 , 2438−2448..
Zou, Z.; Yang, P.; Li, X.; Liu, C.; Du, H.; Yang, Z.; Li, Y. Melanin-like polymers with boosted light absorption across the full spectrum for plant photoprotection. Polymer 2026 , 343 , 129397..
0
Views
0
Downloads
0
CSCD
Publicity Resources
Related Articles
Related Author
Related Institution
京公网安备11010802046900号