Multidimensional‐Encryption in Emissive Liquid Crystal Elastomers through Synergistic Usage of Photorewritable Fluorescent Patterning and Reconfigurable 3D Shaping

Abstract

Advanced encryption/decryption strategies are of great significance for information protection and data security. It is highly desirable yet quite challenging to develop functional materials for encrypting/decrypting information more effectively. Herein, a novel emissive liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) for multidimensional and multistage encryption is proposed for the first time, through synergistic utilization of phototunable fluorescence and the photoprogrammable shape. The fluorescent LCE is fabricated by incorporating an aggregation-induced-emission α-cyanodiarylethene-based hydrogen-bonded complex and azobenzene derivative into the LCE networks through covalent bonding. Because of the photoisomerization of both these two photosensitive derivatives under the same exciting light, the consequent LCE films exhibit photoinduced reversible fluorescence changes and shape deformations that are suitable for data storage and encryption. On this basis, the collaborative usage of photolithography-based 2D fluorescent images and photoprogramming 3D shape configurations can lead to multidimensional and multistage encryption. Moreover, this encryption strategy is reprogrammable, allowing for repeatable encoding and decrypting. The results demonstrated here reveal that the reversible phototunable fluorescent LCE materials exhibit promising applications in data storage and encryption.

Paper‐Structure Inspired Multiresponsive Hydrogels with Solvent‐Induced Reversible Information Recording, Self‐Encryption, and Multidecryption

“…For example, the use of improper "ink" may induce nonadjustable information-recording times, and the lack of encryption and decryption modes restrict the usage of the information-related materials. [15] Moreover, the demand for information storage materials with apparent recording capacities, high-security performances, and long-term and repeatable "writing" properties has increased. [16,17] Recently, stimulus-responsive hydrogels, that can undergo reversible volume or color changes upon triggering via external stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, magnetic fields, and ionic concentrations, have attracted tremendous attention.…”

“…For example, the use of improper “ink” may induce nonadjustable information‐recording times, and the lack of encryption and decryption modes restrict the usage of the information‐related materials. [ 15 ] Moreover, the demand for information storage materials with apparent recording capacities, high‐security performances, and long‐term and repeatable “writing” properties has increased. [ 16,17 ]…”

Versatile core–shell magnetic fluorescent mesoporous microspheres for multilevel latent fingerprints magneto‐optic information recognition

“…Except for magnetic developers, fluorescent powders are also commonly used for fingerprint visualization based on their strong light absorption capacity and continuous luminous, especially for excellent optical storage capability and signal transmission features 16,22 . In general, fluorescent developers can be categorized four types: quantum dots, 23,24 fluorescent carbon dots, 25,26 metal nanomaterials (e.g., Au, Ag nanoparticles), 27,28 and rare earth luminescent nanomaterials 29–31 .…”

“…Except for magnetic developers, fluorescent powders are also commonly used for fingerprint visualization based on their strong light absorption capacity and continuous luminous, especially for excellent optical storage capability and signal transmission features. 16,22 In general, fluorescent developers can be categorized four types: quantum dots, 23,24 fluorescent carbon dots, 25,26 metal nanomaterials (e.g., Au, Ag nanoparticles), 27,28 and rare earth luminescent nanomaterials. [29][30][31] Among them, rare earth luminescent materials possess the merits of high photochemical stability, reduced photo bleaching, lowtoxicity, high contrast and high resolution, and thus they are considered as good candidates for latent fingerprint visualization.…”

Integrating Photorewritable Fluorescent Information in Shape‐Memory Organohydrogel Toward Dual Encryption

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information, the ability to encrypt information has more important significance in information security. Nowadays, many scientists focus on the development of latemodel anti-counterfeiting materials, and corresponding strategies, [1][2][3][4] including bar code, two-dimensional code, holograms, luminous materials, and so on. Among them, luminous materials can be one of the best candidates for anti-counterfeiting due to their responsiveness to UV light, [5,6] the diversity of vivid colors [7,8] as well as various luminescence modes.

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