Construction of NaYF4: Yb, Ho/B, N-GQDs nanocomposites for double anti-counterfeiting fluorescence ink.

Fluorescent nanomaterials with multiple anti-counterfeiting play a vital role in economic and social fields in our daily lives. In this work, a hybridized composite of boron and nitrogen co-doped graphene quantum dots (B, N-GQDs) and lanthanide-doped up-conversion NaYF 4 was prepare for a double anti-counterfeiting application. The composite was obtained by one-pot hydrothermal method and it was commixed with glycerol in a ratio of 4 : 1 to prepare a fluorescence ink, which exhibited independent blue and green fluorescence emissions under ultraviolet light and near-infrared laser excitation. Therefore, it had a considerable application in confidential communications, logo designing and file encryptions. • The nanocomposite of NaYF 4 : Yb, Ho/B, N-GQDs was synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method. • Independent blue and green fluorescence are observed in ultraviolet and infrared excitation for double anti-counterfeiting. • NaYF 4 : Yb, Ho/B, N-GQDs was dispersable in glycerol to prepare for ink application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]