Construction of soybean oil-based fluorescent resin for UV-curing 3D printing with multi-dimensional anti-counterfeiting and information encryption

Herein, a bio-based photocurable resin derived from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) for 3D printing and anti-counterfeiting applications. ESO-HEMANA prepolymer was synthesized via a ring-opening reaction between 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate phthalate monoester (HEMANA) and ESO. The thiol-acrylate binary polymerization photo-curing 3D printing system was constructed by introducing trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP). This system precisely regulated the mechanical properties and volume shrinkage rate of the resin, significantly enhancing its toughness and thermal stability, and effectively addressing the shortcomings of traditional UV-curable resins, notably high shrinkage and susceptibility to oxygen inhibition. The resin was successfully endowed with multiple response functions by doping tetrafluoroethylene (TPE) with fluorescence, aniline-2,5-disulfonic acid (BZ-SA) with phosphorescence, and reverse thermochromic powder (TC-PB40, TC-G60). This resin system was compatible with LCD/DLP 3D printing technology, enabling fabrication of complex components. A multi-level anti-counterfeiting and information encryption system was developed, incorporating ultraviolet (UV) excitation, multi-layer 3D printing information concealment, and a multi-dimensional encryption mechanism integrating fluorescence, phosphorescence and temperature responses. This mechanism required a stepwise decoding process to obtain real information with strong anti-cracking capabilities. This study demonstrates an integrated approach to green bio-based systems and 3D printing technology, resulting in “structure-function integrated” materials. It provided a novel strategy for high-level anti-counterfeiting and information encryption, with promising potential in multi-dimensional anti-counterfeiting and information encryption.