An anticounterfeiting technology combining an InP nanoparticle ink and a versatile optical device for authentication

Abstract

Counterfeiting is a growing issue and causes economic losses. Fluorescent inks containing In(Zn)P/ZnS/DDT colloidal nanoparticles are formulated and combined with a convenient optical device for authentication. The particle size and fluorescent colors of the colloidal nanoparticles were tuned by adjusting the reaction temperature. The particle stability and brightness were improved by the addition of dodecanethiol, coating the particle surface with an organic shell. Security patterns were printed on various substrates by applying the screen-printing technique. The patterns were invisible under daylight but observable under UV-light illumination, displaying five different emission colors. By adjusting the concentration of the nanoparticles in the ink, the security patterns were made almost not observable under UV-light illumination but clearly identified by a commercial fiber optics-based spectrometer and a handheld optical device, called a Quantag sensor that was developed in-house. Furthermore, the spectral signatures of barely noticeable patterns are unambiguously validated by the Quantag sensor. Accordingly, low cost and easily applicable anticounterfeiting technology powered by custom-formulated fluorescent inks and a handheld optical instrument are developed to authenticate valuable documents and products.