Open AccessHighly Retentive, Anti‐Interference, and Covert Individual Marking Taggant with Exceptional Skin Penetration
Author(s) -
Zhong Lianggen,
Li Jiguang,
Zu Baiyi,
Zhu Xiaodan,
Lei Da,
Wang Guangfa,
Hu Xiaoyun,
Zhang Tianshi,
Dou Xincun
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202201497
Subject(s) - penetration (warfare) , materials science , fluorescence , rubbing , nanotechnology , penetration depth , computer science , optoelectronics , optics , composite material , physics , operations research , engineering
The development of high‐performance individual marking taggants is of great significance. However, the interaction between taggant and skin is not fully understood, and a standard for marking taggants has yet to be realized. To achieve a highly retentive, anti‐interference, and covert individual marking fluorescent taggant, Mn 2+ ‐doped NaYF 4 :Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), are surface‐functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI) to remarkably enhance the interaction between the amino groups and skin, and thus to facilitate the surface adhesion and chemical penetration of the taggant. Electrostatic interaction between PEI 600 ‐UCNPs and skin as well as remarkable penetration inside the epidermis is responsible for excellent taggant retention capability, even while faced with robust washing, vigorous wiping, and rubbing for more than 100 cycles. Good anti‐interference capability and reliable marking performance in real cases are ensured by an intrinsic upconversion characteristic with a distinct red luminescent emission under 980 nm excitation. The present methodology is expected to shed light on the design of high‐performance individual marking taggants from the perspective of the underlying interaction between taggant and skin, and to help advance the use of fluorescent taggants for practical application, such as special character tracking.