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Tunable solid-state fluorescent materials for supramolecular encryption

Author

Listed:
  • Xisen Hou

    (Northwestern University)

  • Chenfeng Ke

    (Northwestern University)

  • Carson J. Bruns

    (Northwestern University)

  • Paul R. McGonigal

    (Northwestern University)

  • Roger B. Pettman

    (Cycladex, c/o Innovation and New Ventures Office, Northwestern University, 1800 Sherman Avenue, Suite 504)

  • J. Fraser Stoddart

    (Northwestern University)

Abstract

Tunable solid-state fluorescent materials are ideal for applications in security printing technologies. A document possesses a high level of security if its encrypted information can be authenticated without being decoded, while also being resistant to counterfeiting. Herein, we describe a heterorotaxane with tunable solid-state fluorescent emissions enabled through reversible manipulation of its aggregation by supramolecular encapsulation. The dynamic nature of this fluorescent material is based on a complex set of equilibria, whose fluorescence output depends non-linearly on the chemical inputs and the composition of the paper. By applying this system in fluorescent security inks, the information encoded in polychromic images can be protected in such a way that it is close to impossible to reverse engineer, as well as being easy to verify. This system constitutes a unique application of responsive complex equilibria in the form of a cryptographic algorithm that protects valuable information printed using tunable solid-state fluorescent materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Xisen Hou & Chenfeng Ke & Carson J. Bruns & Paul R. McGonigal & Roger B. Pettman & J. Fraser Stoddart, 2015. "Tunable solid-state fluorescent materials for supramolecular encryption," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7884
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7884
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