Structure and Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose "Ceramics-Like" Composites Incorporated with LaVO4:Sm Oxide Compound

Composite samples based on microcrystalline cellulose matrix incorporated with micro/nanoparticles of La0.7Sm0.3VO4 complex oxide were made by cool pressing procedure. Morphology, crystallinity and characteristic luminescence and dielectric properties of the composites were studied. Their morphology can be described as "ceramics-like" type, as it consists of cellulose plates and embedded oxide particles. Luminescence spectra of the composites covers the range of the whole visible light, 350-750 nm, and comprises both wide band and narrow lines, related with host and oxide luminescence, respectively. Temperature dependences of the dielectric permittivity of composites showed the impact of the oxide particles on the characteristics of the microcrystalline cellulose. An assumption was made that this influence can be affected via water molecules, hydroxyl groups or molecules of the ambient gases. Studied composites can be perspective luminescent materials for transformation of ultraviolet and violet radiation into green-red light.