Integration of Carbon Quantum Dots and Lignin Into Transparent Nanocellulose Films for Efficiently Blocking UV and High-Energy Blue-Violet Light

Abstract

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) and high-energy blue-violet light (HEBV) can cause severe skin and eye damage. In this study, lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNF) films are prepared from cellulose pulps with varying lignin contents obtained through hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid pretreatment of bagasse. The LCNF films possess excellent hydrophobicity and mechanical properties, as well as certain UV radiation resistance properties, by leveraging the inherent properties of lignin. To enhance the UV shielding performance of LCNF films, blue- and green-emitting carbon dots (BL-CQDs, GL-CQDs) derived from lignin are prepared and incorporated as UV absorbers alongside LCNF to construct sustainable, biodegradable composite films with high-efficiency UV shielding properties, in which lignin-based carbon quantum dot (L-CQDs) are uniformly embedded within the LCNF network via hydrogen bonding. Through the synergistic interaction between lignin and L-CQDs, the UV blocking rate of L-CQDs@LCNF films increased by 8.15%-36.40%, and the HEBV blocking rate increased by 2.95%-41.52% while maintaining excellent visible light transmittance and mechanical properties (with tensile strength reaching up to 82 MPa), compared to pure LCNF films. Simultaneously, by regulating the lignin content in LCNF and the properties of L-CQDs, the films exhibit tunable UV blocking and blue-violet light shielding capabilities. Additionally, the prepared BL-CQDs achieve a fluorescence quantum yield of 31.10%, representing a leading level among lignin-derived CQDs. This study will provide a strategy for preparing transparent and full-lignocellulose films with tunable UV-blocking and blue-violet light shielding properties through a design integrating function and structure.

Keywords

blue-violet light blocking / lignin-based carbon quantum dots / lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils / ultraviolet (UV) blocking / visible light transmittance

References

[1] C. Chen, L. Yu, X. Li, et al., “Reducing Oxidative Stress Levels and Inhibiting Aging by L-Cysteine-Derived Carbon Dots With Highly Efficient Broad-Spectrum UV Absorption,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 16 (2024): 43189-43198.

[2] S. W. Park, S. H. Im, W. T. Hong, et al., “Lignin-Derived Carbon Quantum Dot/PVA Films for Totally Blocking UV and High-Energy Blue Light,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 268 (2024): 131919.

[3] W. Fang, M. Xie, X. Hou, et al., “DNA Origami Radiometers for Measuring Ultraviolet Exposure,” Journal of the American Chemical Society 142 (2020): 8782-8789.

[4] X. Gong, Q. Xu, X. Chen, et al., “Solvent-Free Rapid Synthesis of Carbon Nanodots at Atmospheric Pressure: Preparation of Transparent Light Conversion Films With Ultrahigh Efficient UV and Blue Light Shielding,” Carbon 210 (2023): 118044.

[5] B. K. Barman, Ø. S. Handegård, and A. Hashimoto, “Carbon Dot/Cellulose-Based Transparent Films for Efficient UV and High-Energy Blue Light Screening,” ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 9 (2021): 9879-9890.

[6] Q. Fu, Y. Qin, X. Zhang, et al., “Seeking Materials From Nature for Interrupting Eye Damage: Ultraviolet to Blue Light Blocking Clear Cellulose Films Enabled by Curcumin,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 279 (2024): 135325.

[7] J. Yu, X. Yong, Z. Tang, et al., “Theoretical Understanding of Structure-Property Relationships in Luminescence of Carbon Dots,” Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 12 (2021): 7671-7687.

[8] Y. Shi, H. Xu, T. Yuan, et al., “Carbon Dots: An Innovative Luminescent Nanomaterial,” Aggregate 3 (2022): e108.

[9] N. Zhou, S. Long, D. Song, et al., “Fabrication of Carbon Dots-Embedded Luminescent Transparent Wood With Ultraviolet Blocking and Thermal Insulating Capacities Towards Smart Window Application,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 259 (2024): 129358.

[10] C. Campalani, V. Causin, M. Selva, et al., “Fish-Waste-Derived Gelatin and Carbon Dots for Biobased UV-Blocking Films,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 14 (2022): 35148-35156.

[11] X. Liu, S. Zhao, X. Chen, et al., “The Effect of Lignin Molecular Weight on the Formation and Properties of Carbon Quantum Dots,” Green Chemistry 26 (2024): 3190-3201.

[12] S. Zhao, G. Yue, X. Liu, et al., “Lignin-Based Carbon Quantum Dots With High Fluorescence Performance Prepared by Supercritical Catalysis and Solvothermal Treatment for Tumor-Targeted Labeling,” Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials 6 (2023): 73.

[13] T. Zhang, S. Hou, X. Huo, et al., “Two-Pronged Approach: Synergistic Tuning of the Surface and Carbon Core to Achieve Yellow Emission in Lignin-Based Carbon Dots,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 15 (2023): 42823-42835.

[14] Y. Zheng, X. Ma, X. Su, et al., “Development of Highly Transparent and Multifunctional Lignin-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots/PVA Composite Films for Active Food Packaging,” Polymer Engineering and Science 65 (2025): 6010-6020.

[15] U. K. Sangeetha, N. Sudhakaran, P. A. Parvathy, et al., “Coconut Husk-Lignin Derived Carbon Dots Incorporated Carrageenan Based Functional Film for Intelligent Food Packaging,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 266 (2024): 131005.

[16] X. Chen, J. Zhang, L. Zhang, et al., “In-Situ Controllable Synthesis of Carbon Dots for Patterned Fluorescent Wood Films Rapid Fabrication Strategy,” Aggregate 5 (2024): e519.

[17] X. Chen, X. Han, C. Zhang, et al., “Synthesis of Red, Green, and Blue Carbon Quantum Dots and Construction of Multicolor Cellulose-Based Light-Emitting Diodes,” Small Structures 5 (2024): 2300449.

[18] C. Fu, X. Han, Y. Zhang, et al., “Synergistic Functionality of Metal-Organic Framework-Cellulose Composites Structures for Advanced High-Performance Energy Materials,” Chemical Engineering Journal 503 (2025): 158384.

[19] S. Jiang, X. Liu, Z. Wang, et al., “In Situ Lignin Modification Enabling Enhanced Interfibrillar Interactions in Lignocellulosic Nanomaterials Toward Structural Applications,” ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 11 (2023): 7705-7718.

[20] Y. Chen, D. Fan, Y. Han, et al., “Effect of High Residual Lignin on the Properties of Cellulose Nanofibrils/Films,” Cellulose 25 (2018): 6421-6431.

[21] Y. Li, Q. Fu, R. Rojas, et al., “Lignin-Retaining Transparent Wood,” ChemSusChem 10 (2017): 3445-3451.

[22] H. Bian, Y. Gao, R. Wang, et al., “Contribution of Lignin to the Surface Structure and Physical Performance of Cellulose Nanofibrils Film,” Cellulose 25 (2018): 1309-1318.

[23] Y. Jiang, X. Liu, Q. Yang, et al., “Effects of Residual Lignin on Composition, Structure and Properties of Mechanically Defibrillated Cellulose Fibrils and Films,” Cellulose 26 (2019): 1577-1593.

[24] H. Yang, Z. Xu, L. Li, et al., “Boosting the Loading Dosage of Cinnamon Essential Oil Within Edible Packaging Film via the Multiple Cross-Linking Strategy for Effective Shrimp Preservation,” Food Hydrocolloids 158 (2025): 110490.

[25] X. Liu, Y. Jiang, X. Song, et al., “A Bio-Mechanical Process for Cellulose Nanofiber Production—Towards a Greener and Energy Conservation Solution,” Carbohydrate Polymers 208 (2019): 191-199.

[26] S. Wang, X. Wang, M. Jiao, et al., “Combined Tartaric Acid Sulfonation Pretreatments of Reeds to Overcome the Anti-Degradation Barrier of Cellulose,” Industrial Crops and Products 224 (2025): 120382.

[27] A. Åhl, E. Nocerino, U. T. Veettil, et al., “Moisture-Dependent Vibrational Dynamics and Phonon Transport in Nanocellulose Materials,” Advanced Materials 37 (2025): 2415725.

[28] J. Jin, H. Ma, H. Liang, et al., “Biopolymer-Derived Carbon Materials for Wearable Electronics,” Advanced Materials 37 (2025): 2414620.

[29] S. S. Nair and N. Yan, “Effect of High Residual Lignin on the Thermal Stability of Nanofibrils and Its Enhanced Mechanical Performance in Aqueous Environments,” Cellulose 22 (2015): 3137-3150.

[30] H. Ding, S.-B. Yu, J.-S. Wei, et al., “Full-Color Light-Emitting Carbon Dots With a Surface-State-Controlled Luminescence Mechanism,” ACS Nano 10 (2016): 484-491.

[31] S. Zhao, H. Wang, J. He, et al., “Developing Dual-State Ultra-Efficient Emissive Carbon Dots as Internal and External Artificial Antenna of Chloroplasts to Enhance Plant-Photosynthesis,” Aggregate 5 (2024): e625.

[32] Z. Liu, B. Li, Y. Feng, et al., “N-Doped sp2/sp3 Carbon Derived From Carbon Dots to Boost the Performance of Ruthenium for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction,” Small Methods 6 (2022): 2200637.

[33] J. Lin, R. Liu, P. Chen, et al., “Stimulating and Harnessing Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Helically Assembled Carbonized Polymer Dots via Interfacial Dynamics,” Aggregate 4 (2023): e311.

[34] X. Chen, S. Zhao, X. Kang, et al., “Gradient Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots and Activated Carbon From Pulp Black Liquor for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Supercapacitor,” Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials 6 (2023): 131.

[35] C. Ji, Q. Han, Y. Zhou, et al., “Phenylenediamine-Derived Near Infrared Carbon Dots: The Kilogram-Scale Preparation, Formation Process, Photoluminescence Tuning Mechanism and Application as Red Phosphors,” Carbon 192 (2022): 198-208.

[36] S. Zhao, X. Chen, C. Zhang, et al., “Fluorescence Enhancement of Lignin-Based Carbon Quantum Dots by Concentration-Dependent and Electron-Donating Substituent Synergy and Their Cell Imaging Applications,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 13 (2021): 61565-61577.

[37] X. Miao, D. Qu, D. Yang, et al., “Synthesis of Carbon Dots With Multiple Color Emission by Controlled Graphitization and Surface Functionalization,” Advanced Materials 30 (2018): 1704740.

[38] L. Wang, W. Li, L. Yin, et al., “Full-Color Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots,” Science Advances 6 (2020): eabb6772.

[39] B. Liu, G. Huang, Y. Wang, et al., “Highly Photoluminescent RGB-Carbon Dots and Their Integration Applications in Light-Emitting Diodes and Luminescent Solar Concentrators,” Aggregate 6 (2025): e70167.

[40] F. Yuan, T. Yuan, L. Sui, et al., “Engineering Triangular Carbon Quantum Dots With Unprecedented Narrow Bandwidth Emission for Multicolored LEDs,” Nature Communications 9 (2018): 2249.

[41] Z. Wang, F. Yuan, X. Li, et al., “53% Efficient Red Emissive Carbon Quantum Dots for High Color Rendering and Stable Warm White-Light-Emitting Diodes,” Advanced Materials 29 (2017): 1702910.

[42] X. Yang, L. Ai, J. Yu, et al., “Photoluminescence Mechanisms of Red-Emissive Carbon Dots Derived From Non-Conjugated Molecules,” Science Bulletin 67 (2022): 1450-1457.

[43] L. Zhu, D. Shen, Q. Liu, et al., “Sustainable Synthesis of Bright Green Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots From Lignin for Highly Sensitive Detection of Fe³⁺ Ions,” Applied Surface Science 565 (2021): 150526.

[44] Z. Pang, Y. Fu, H. Yu, et al., “Efficient Ethanol Solvothermal Synthesis of High-Performance Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots From Lignin for Metal Ion Nanosensing and Cell Imaging,” Industrial Crops and Products 183 (2022): 114957.

[45] X. Guo, R. Yang, Y. Wang, et al., “Surface Engineering and Concentration-Dependent Emission Activated Flexible Tunable Fluorescence From Lignin-Based N-Doped Carbon Dots,” Chemical Engineering Journal 498 (2024): 155146.

[46] T. Gao, S. Guo, J. Zhang, et al., “Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue Light-Emitting Highly Crystallized Graphene Quantum Dots Derived From Lignin: Controllable Syntheses and Light-Emitting Diode Applications,” Green Chemistry 25 (2023): 8869-8884.

[47] K. G. Nguyen, M. Huš, I.-A. Baragau, et al., “Controlling the Optoelectronic Properties of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots Using Biomass-Derived Precursors in a Continuous Flow System,” Carbon 230 (2024): 119623.

[48] J. Gan, Q. Lin, Y. Huang, et al., “Full-Wood Utilization Strategy Toward a Directional Luminescent Solar Concentrator,” ACS Nano 17 (2023): 23512-23523.

[49] Y. Li, M. Hu, K. Liu, et al., “Lignin Derived Multicolor Carbon Dots for Visual Detection of Formaldehyde,” Industrial Crops and Products 192 (2023): 116006.

[50] Z. Jia, J. Hu, P. Lu, et al., “Carbon Quantum Dots From Carbohydrate-Rich Residue of Birch Obtained Following Lignin-First Strategy,” Bioresource Technology 408 (2024): 131206.

[51] X. Feng, Y. Zhao, Y. Jiang, et al., “Use of Carbon Dots to Enhance UV-Blocking of Transparent Nanocellulose Films,” Carbohydrate Polymers 161 (2017): 253-260.

[52] S. Zhang, G. Liu, H. Chang, et al., “Optical Haze Nanopaper Enhanced Ultraviolet Harvesting for Direct Soft-Fluorescent Emission Based on Lanthanide Complex Assembly and Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibrils,” ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 7 (2019): 9966-9975.

[53] W. Yang, L. Jiao, W. Liu, et al., “Morphology Control for Tunable Optical Properties of Cellulose Nanofibrils Films,” Cellulose 25 (2018): 5909-5918.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2026 The Author(s). Aggregate published by SCUT, AIEI, and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.