Authentication of documents using polypropylene immobilized with rare-earth doped aluminate nanoparticles

Anticounterfeiting of commercial products has been improved using photochromism as an intriguing approach. In order to develop a mechanically reliable nanocomposite, the engineering procedure of the anticounterfeiting nanocomposite must be improved. Rare-earth doped aluminate/polypropylene (REA/PP) hybrid nanofibers were successfully made by electrospinning, and they were shown to be mechanically stable and highly photoluminescent, making them ideal for anticounterfeiting applications. UV-induced photochromic anticounterfeiting properties were monitored in the synthesized nanocomposite films. In order to ensure that the REA-PP film is completely transparent, REA must be embedded into the polypropylene nanofibers in nano-sized particle shape to facilitate a better dispersion without agglomeration of REA particles in polypropylene matrix. The morphology and structure of REA were studied by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The morphologies and chemical contents of the polypropylene nanofibrous films were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The REA-PP nanofibrous film showed absorbance and emission maxima at 365 and 517 nm, respectively. When exposed to UV light, the photochromic activity of the transparent nanofibrous substrates to greenish-yellow was rapid and reversible without fatigue. Hydrophobicity of REA-PP films increased without affecting their original look or mechanical properties, while increasing the REA content. It was possible to produce ultraviolet-induced photochromic nanofibrous films that were transparent, flexible, and cost-effective. As a result of this method, numerous anticounterfeiting materials could be developed toward a better marketplace with both economy and community values. HIGHLIGHTS: Rare-earth aluminate/polypropylene (REA/PP) electrospun nanofibers were prepared. The photochromic transparent nanofibers displayed green emission under UV light. The nanofibrous films were flexible, mechanically stable and highly luminescent. Films showed absorbance and emission maxima at 365 and 517 nm, respectively. Hydrophobicity was improved without affecting the films original properties.