Radiative lifetime-encoded unicolour security tags using perovskite nanocrystals

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Optics

Background:

• Traditional anticounterfeiting tags rely on basic visual identification, making them vulnerable to sophisticated fraud.
• Advanced security features like fluorescent lifetime and pattern masking are needed to deter counterfeiting effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel unicolour multi-fluorescent-lifetime security tag system using electrohydrodynamically printed perovskite nanocrystals.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of these tags against conventional readers and their decipherability with advanced imaging techniques.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of lifetime-tunable lead-halide perovskite nanocrystals via cation-engineering (formamidinium for ethylenediammonium substitution).
• Electrohydrodynamic printing of perovskite nanocrystals into fluorescence-lifetime-encoded tags.
• Deciphering tag information using time-correlated single-photon counting fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy and a novel time-of-flight prototype.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared unicolour, lifetime-tunable perovskite nanocrystals with matching emission wavelengths.
• Demonstrated that printed tags are resistant to conventional reading methods.
• Validated the use of both established and a novel portable time-of-flight prototype for deciphering the fluorescence lifetime codes.

Conclusions:

• The developed perovskite nanocrystal-based security tags offer a robust anticounterfeiting solution with enhanced security features.
• The combination of novel material synthesis, advanced printing, and portable deciphering technology provides a comprehensive approach for product protection.
• This innovation has the potential to safeguard both producers and consumers from counterfeit goods.