Green and Near-Infrared Dual-Mode Afterglow of Carbon Dots and Their Applications for Confidential Information Readout

A facile method was developed to achieve visible light (green) and near infrared dual-mode afterglow emissions from carbon dots (CDs)-based materials at ambient conditions for the first time. We proposed a promising method in advanced information security applications through a special manner of readout. The as-developed method was confirmed to be applicable to many kinds of CDs for achieving or enhancing their afterglow performances.