Preparation and characterization of rare earth fluorescent anti-counterfeiting fiber via sol-gel method

A benzoic acid rare earth (Tb) complex was synthesized and characterized. The excitation and emission spectra of the complex were investigated, and then pure organic complex was incorporated with inorganic matrices (SiO2) through sol-gel method. The composition and structure of the hybrid complex was characterized through the IR spectra, TG, TEM and fluorescent spectrometer. Furthermore, the polypropylene (PP) fluorescent fiber with the organic-inorganic hybrid was prepared by melt spinning. The fluorescent and mechanical properties of the fiber were also tested. The results showed that after sol-gel coating the average particulate dimension of the hybrid rare earth complex was less than 100 nm and thermal stability was improved. Meanwhile, the fiber possessed excellent fluorescent and mechanical properties, which could be used as a candidate applied to excellent fluorescent anti-counterfeiting fiber.