Title: Luminescent nanomaterials containing rare earth ions for security printing

Authors: Tran Kim Anh, Dinh Xuan Loc, Tran Thu Huong, Nguyen Vu, Le Quoc Minh

Addresses: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay distr., Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay distr., Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay distr., Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay distr., Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay distr., Hanoi, Vietnam; College of Technology, Vietnam National University of Hanoi, 144 Xuan Thuy, Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract: The high-efficiency luminescent nanomaterials with different emission wavelengths of red (YVO4:Eu3+), green (CePO4:Tb3+), ZnS:Mn2+ and YVO4:Eu3+;@SiO2 were successfully prepared with different concentrations of Mn and rare earth ions as active centres by chemical synthesis. Structure properties were studied. It was found that the particle size of our samples was in the range of 10-30 nm. Photoluminescent properties were studied under 325, 337, 365 and 370 nm excitations in order to apply in luminescent labels. The primary colour components are red and green emission making them very convenient and attractive for screen security printing systems. Hundreds of different labels with a size of 1-10 cm² were prepared by screen-printing as well as inkjet printing. By improving the Epson printer, commercial red, green and blue inks were used in the printing application. Screen and inkjet printing were deemed good methods for security printing. Our products were beautiful, high resolution and withstood tropical weather.

Keywords: luminescent nanomaterials; yttrium oxide; security printing; coreshell; rare earth ions; photoluminescence; nanotechnology; screen printing; luminescent labels; inkjet printing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2011.038210

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2011 Vol.8 No.3/4/5, pp.335 - 346

Published online: 21 Jan 2011 *

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