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Security printing of covert quick response codes using upconverting nanoparticle inks.

Jeevan M Meruga1, William M Cross, P Stanley May

  • 1Department of Materials Engineering and Science Program, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 East St Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA.

Nanotechnology
|September 13, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles create invisible QR codes readable with a near-IR laser. This novel security printing method enhances anti-counterfeiting measures for currency and valuable documents.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Optics

Background:

  • Counterfeiting poses a significant global economic threat, impacting governments and industries through lost value in currency and printed materials.
  • Traditional security features are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated counterfeiting techniques.
  • There is a need for advanced, covert security printing solutions to combat illicit replication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate lanthanide-doped β-NaYF(4) nanoparticles for novel security printing applications.
  • To create invisible Quick Response (QR) codes with enhanced security features using upconverting nanoparticle inks.
  • To assess the feasibility of using these security-enhanced QR codes for anti-counterfeiting purposes.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesized Yb(3+)/Er(3+) and Yb(3+)/Tm(3+) doped β-NaYF(4) nanoparticles with oleic acid capping.
  • Formulated inks using toluene and methyl benzoate with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a binder.
  • Printed QR codes using an AutoCAD design and Optomec direct-write aerosol jetting technology.

Main Results:

  • Printed QR codes were invisible under ambient light but readable with a near-infrared (NIR) laser and scannable via smartphone.
  • Incorporating both green (Er(3+)/Yb(3+)) and blue (Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)) upconverting inks within a single QR code significantly enhanced security.
  • Analyzed NIR-to-visible upconversion luminescence properties and the influence of excitation power density on color perception (CIE 1931 chromaticity index).

Conclusions:

  • Lanthanide-doped β-NaYF(4) nanoparticles offer a viable solution for covert security printing applications.
  • QR codes can be effectively repurposed for advanced security features beyond simple information sharing.
  • The developed security ink technology demonstrates potential for optimization in line width, thickness, and substrate stability for robust anti-counterfeiting solutions.