Dynamic Multicolour Luminescent Materials for Optical Anticounterfeiting

A team of researchers at Sun Yat-sen University ¹ in China, has developed a novel luminescent material with dynamic properties.

At the core of this material’s functionality is a precise manipulation of its chemical composition and structure. Traditional anti-counterfeiting materials often rely on luminescence properties derived from fixed emission centres, typically resulting in a single colour that is unchanging. This static nature, while useful, limits their ability to adapt to evolving security needs.

In contrast, the new material achieves multicolour emission through the deliberate introduction of structural imperfections into its crystal lattice. These defects, created by carefully adjusting the balance of its chemical components, act as traps for energy. When the material is exposed to UV light, it absorbs and stores energy within these traps, later releasing it as visible light in colours that range from green to orange.