Chemically stable fluorescent anti-counterfeiting labels achieved by UV-induced photolysis of nanocellulose.

Carbon-based fluorescent security labels are effective methods to prevent counterfeiting. However, the properties of poor optical stability, complex and energy-consuming synthesis processes and weak bonding with substrates of carbon-based fluorescent materials limit their application prospects. Here, a novel fluorescent patterning strategy is developed to achieve covert, chemically stable and solvent-tolerant cellulose-based security labels by UV exposure.