Application of room-temperature phosphorescent carbon dots in information encryption and anti-counterfeiting

Optical information encryption and security have garnered significant attention due to their close association with data protection and information security. The development of diverse stimuli-responsive optical materials for constructing advanced information encryption and security systems holds immense importance for practical applications. Room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials, characterized by spin-forbidden triple exciton transitions, are crucial luminescent materials extensively employed in detection, anti-counterfeiting, and information protection. However, the preparation of numerous RTP materials is currently limited to complex and expensive synthetic processes involving organic metal coordination and pure organic synthesis. Carbon dots (CDs), a novel type of photoluminescent nanomaterial, exhibit great potential as RTP candidates owing to their wide range of raw material options, diverse synthesis methods, low production costs, and excellent photostability. This article provides an overview of commonly utilized synthesis methods for RTP CDs along with their applications in information encryption and anti-counterfeiting. Furthermore, it proposes future prospects for the advancement of information security which may serve as a valuable reference for the development of information encryption and security.