Development of rare-earth doped aluminate embedded into electrospun polyvinyl chloride nanofibers for information encryption

• Published in: Reactive & functional polymers Vol. 188; p. 105609
• Main Authors: Al-Qahtani, Salhah D., Aljohani, Meshari, Al-bonayan, Ameena M., Alsharief, Hatun H., Alrefaee, Salhah H., Almotairy, Awatif Rashed Z., El-Metwaly, Nashwa M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-07-2023
• Subjects: Anticounterfeiting; Electrospinning nanofibers; Photoluminescence; Polyvinyl chloride; Rare-earth doped aluminate; Electrospinning nanofibers; Polyvinyl chloride; Rare-earth doped aluminate; Photoluminescence; Anticounterfeiting
• ISSN: 1381-5148
• DOI: 10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2023.105609

Ultraviolet-driven photoluminescent inks have been an appealing encoding method to enhance the anticounterfeiting efficacy of commercialized items. However, photoluminescent inks have recently highlighted major drawbacks such as high cost, poor durability and low efficiency. Herein, we report the development of photoluminescent security nanofibers for use in cutting-edge anticounterfeiting applications. Electrospun polyvinyl chloride nanofibers (PVCN) were immobilized with lanthanide-activated aluminate (LdSA) nanoparticles. Interestingly, inorganic pigment-containing authentication materials can guarantee both photostability and durability. Thus, the UV-induced photoluminescence of LdSA-containing electrospun LdSA@PVCN was highly reversible and photostable. Using different quantities of LdSA nanoparticles, a wide range of polyvinyl chloride nanofibrous films with unique emission characteristics were created. Both photoluminescence and CIE Lab testing confirmed that paper sheets were coated with homogeneous polyvinyl chloride nanofibrous film. The LdSA@PVCN film appeared colorless under visible lighting conditions but became green when illuminated with UV. The morphologies of the generated nanofibrous films were analyzed using a number of different techniques. The morphological analysis of LdSA nanoparticles revealed that its particles have a diameter of 3–14 nm, whereas the LdSA@PVCN nanofibers exhibited diameters of 80–110 nm. The LdSA@PVCN-coated sheet mechanical characteristics were examined. The excitation wavelength was determined at 365 nm to designate a colorless appearance, and the emission and was determined at 517 nm to indicate greenish color. The current smart polyvinyl chloride nanofibrous film is a very effective method for the creation of anticounterfeiting commercial items.
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•Rare-earth doped strontium aluminate nanoparticles (3–14 nm) were prepared.•UV-driven photochromic phosphor@polyvinyl chloride nanofibers were electrospun.•Dual-mode encoding photochromic transparent nanofibers (80–110 nm) were developed.•Color shift to green (517 nm) was observed with photostability and reversibility.•The nanofibrous films displayed hydrophobicity and mechanical reliability.