Carefully designed PSCLC/PDLC/PCL multifunctional composite structures are used for high-security multi-level anti-counterfeiting labels and patterned displays

Optimized formulations produce RGB structural colors and dual visible‑UV encryption signals from fluorescent PDLC. • Wavelength-selective Bragg reflection enables multi-stage decryption for high-security anti-counterfeiting. • A ternary PSCLC/PDLC/PCL composite is prepared via two‑step polymerization to achieve tunable cholesteric helical pitch. Liquid crystals (LC) are regarded as promising candidates for optical encryption on account of their distinctive stimulus-responsive structural coloration. However, single-component polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCLC) systems suffer from limited information encoding dimensions. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) can only achieve basic light scattering modulation and cannot meet the requirements of complex multi-channel encryption. To circumvent these drawbacks, a synergistic PSCLC/PDLC/polycaprolactone (PCL) composite thin film is fabricated for optical anti-counterfeiting. Laser-patterned PDLC templates are filled with PSCLC precursors, and S5011-loaded PCL thin films laminated on independent glass substrates serve as sustainable chiral donors. Regulated interlayer chiral diffusion enables continuous tuning of structural hues within predefined laser-etched cavities. Incorporation of red fluorescent powder imparts dual visible and ultraviolet imaging capacity to the composite. Tunable color variation in designated regions is realized via precise modulation of diffusion temperature and duration. Benefiting from the wavelength-selective Bragg reflection effect of cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs), multi-layered information encryption is accomplished. Colored patterned regions can only be visualized under matching monochromatic illumination. Benefiting from facile manufacturing, large information storage capacity and diversified encryption modes, the proposed composite presents great application potential in premium anti-counterfeiting tags, encrypted two-dimensional codes and intelligent display devices. Download: Download high-res image (211KB) Download: Download full-size image