Self-erasable inkless imprinting using a dual emitting hybrid organic-inorganic material

Abstract: Smart emissive materials that can react to external stimuli in a reversible way are challenging to develop and have been the subject of considerable interest. Here, we present a printable hybrid material that can withstand numerous writing-erasing cycles. This material is based on a poly(methyl methacrylate) host matrix embedding by copolymerization of a red NIR phosphorescent metal cluster and a blue green 3-oxindole emitter. Irradiation of the homogeneous and stable hybrid films changes the emission color from white to deep red because of the oxygen perturbed energy transfer from the organic dye to the metal cluster. Because of the low PMMA gas permeability, encrypted data lifetime can be tuned from minutes to days, can be self-erased, and be rewritten at will. This material represents a key stepping stone for anticounterfeiting, optoelectronic, data recording, and many other technologies