Electrospinning of photochromic poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanofibers toward information authentication

Abstract

Abstract The use of photochromism to enhance the anti‐counterfeiting of a wide range of economic goods is an intriguing prospect. Creating a translucent anti‐counterfeiting nanocomposite is critical to improving the engineering procedures of the encoding materials. Herein, we use electrospinning to produce anti‐counterfeiting nanofibrous films from nanoparticles of rare‐earth aluminate (NREA) and recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Different nanofiber films with distinct emission properties were created using different ratios of NREA. The ultraviolet (UV)‐induced photochromism of the NREA@PET nanofibers was proved. Immobilizing NREA at the nanoscale ensures better dispersion without agglomeration in the PET nanofibrous matrix, which is essential for the development of transparent NREA@PET films. Diameters of 4–13 nm for NREA were shown using transmission electron microscopy. X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, elemental mapping, and other techniques were used to investigate the photochromic nanofibers' morphology, elemental contents, optical transmittance, and mechanical performance. It was observed that the nanofiber diameter in NREA@PET was between 150 and 250 nm. Excitation and emission bands of electrospun NREA@PET nanofibrous films were monitored at 365 and 518 nm, respectively. The superhydrophobicity of NREA@PET increased with increasing NREA concentration. The transparent nanofibers exhibited fast and reversible dual‐mode fluorescent photochromism to green emission without fatigue when stimulated beneath a UV source. Using the present anti‐counterfeiting films can be regarded as a simple technique to develop flexible materials to launch an ideal marketplace with affordable societal and economic advantages.