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Responsive red carbon dots with dual-wavelength emission for anti-counterfeiting
Jingjing Chen1, Kaiqing Wu1, Mengyi Xi1
1Jiangsu Engineering Center of Smart Carbon-Rich Materials and Device, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China. kaiqing.wu@seu.edu.cn.
Summary
This study introduces a novel concealed spectral anti-counterfeiting system using dual-emission red carbon dots (R-CDs). The system offers enhanced security through visually invisible fluorescence changes detectable by spectrometers, not the naked eye.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Fluorescence (FL)-based anti-counterfeiting methods are vulnerable to sophisticated counterfeiting.
- Visible color changes in FL technologies lack sufficient security against advanced threats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a proof-of-concept concealed spectral anti-counterfeiting system.
- To demonstrate high anti-counterfeiting security using visually invisible FL spectral shifts.
- To explore advanced information encryption possibilities.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of dual-emission red carbon dots (R-CDs) with distinct FL peaks at 601 nm and 650 nm.
- Investigation of selective FL response to Al3+ ions.
- Spectroscopic analysis to differentiate spectral changes.
Main Results:
- R-CDs exhibited two red FL emission peaks at 601 nm and 650 nm.
- Al3+ selectively quenched the 601 nm emission while preserving the 650 nm emission.
- Spectral variations were visually indistinguishable but spectroscopically identifiable.
Conclusions:
- The developed R-CD system provides a proof-of-concept for concealed spectral anti-counterfeiting.
- This approach enhances security by utilizing visually imperceptible spectral changes.
- The technology holds potential for advanced information encryption and security applications.
