Flexo-ink for anticounterfeit applications

Pigments with unique optical features are always sought after in realizing superior security features to protect documents/products against forgery. A new study reports the synthesis of triphenylamine-naphthalene chalcone (TPA-NC) with fascinating optical features: solvato-fluorochromism, mechano-fluorochromism, and aggregation-induced emission. The flexo print using water-based eco-friendly UV fluorescent ink with TPA-NC as pigment displayed good adhesion, resistance to abrasion, light fastness, and favourable electrical parameter values, which could be well utilised in security documents and developing OTFTs in banknotes to prevent them from being forged.

Security ink

Moreover, the printed paper samples could impart superior features including solvent fugitiveness, penetrating fluorescence, and mechanical stimuli responsive variations in emission color for achieving multilevel security. The security ink prepared using the thermally stable and biocompatible TPA derivative could generate a robust platform for tamper-detection, validation of genuine documents/products and in marking technology.

The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 184, November 2023.