Novel luminescent–magnetic
cellulose microfibers were prepared
by a dry–wet spinning method with the use of
N
-methylmorpholine-
N
-oxide. The synthesized luminescent–magnetic
core/shell type nanostructures, based on the lanthanide-doped fluorides
and magnetite nanoparticles (NPs)—Fe
3
O
4
/SiO
2
/NH
2
/PAA/LnF
3
, were used as
nanomodifiers of the fibers. Thanks to the successful incorporation
of the bifunctional nanomodifiers into the cellulose structure, the
functionalized fibers exhibited superior properties, that is, bright
multicolor emission under UV light and strong magnetic response. By
the use of the as-prepared fibers, the luminescent–magnetic
thread was fabricated and used to sew and make a unique pattern in
the glove material, as a proof of concept for advanced, multimodal
cloths’/materials’ protection against counterfeiting.
The presence and uniform distribution of the modifier NPs in the polymer
matrix were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy,
and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The concentration of the
modifier NPs in the fibers was determined by inductively coupled plasma
mass spectrometry, EDX, and magnetic measurements. The luminescence
characteristics of the materials were examined by photoluminescence
spectroscopy, and their magnetic field-responsive behavior was investigated
by a superconducting quantum interference device.