Luminescent and Transparent Wood Composites Fabricated by Poly(methyl methacrylate) and γ-Fe2O3@YVO4:Eu3+ Nanoparticle Impregnation

Natural wood is functionalized using the index matching poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and luminescent gamma-Fe2O3@YVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles to form a novel type of luminescent and transparent wood composite. First, the delignified wood template was obtained from natural wood through a lignin removal process, which can be used as a support for transparent polymer and phosphor nanoparticles. Then, the functionalization occurs in the lumen of wood, which benefits from PMMA that fills the cell lumen and enhances cellulose nanofiber interaction, leading to wood composites with excellent thermal properties, dimensional stability, and mechanical properties. More importantly, this wood composite displays a high optical transmittance in a broad wavelength range between 350 and 800 nm, magnetic responsiveness, and brightly colored photoluminescence under UV excitation at 254 nm. The unique properties and green nature of the luminescent wood composite have great potential in applications including green LED lighting equipment, luminescent magnetic switches, and anti-counterfeiting facilities.