Cucurbit[8]uril-mediated multi-color fluorescence system for time-dependent information encryption

Programming microscopic assembly mode to control macroscopic property is an attractive research objective. In particular, controlling molecular assembly to control fluorescence is of considerable interest for developing smart fluorescent materials. Herein, a color-tunable supramolecular emissive system was developed based on cucurbit[8]uril mediated host-guest assembly. Chemical designing for the molecular structures with minimized change resulted in different assembly modes and hence generating distinctive fluorescence, including green, yellow and orange with the addition of cucurbit[n]uril. Taking advantage of this feature, the advanced information encryption material (4D code) with multiple encryption levels and time-dependent encryption feature was developed. Such a code was dynamic on time scale, generating a series of 3D codes with time. The encrypted information only can be recognized by integrating time-coursed codes. This work provides a new insight for designing intelligent fluorescent materials for information encryption with high level of security. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].