By Muhammad OsamaReviewed by Lexie CornerApr 14 2025A recent study in Advanced Functional Materials presents nanosized metal-organic framework (NanoMOF)-based materials with built-in optical and electronic functionalities for advanced anti-counterfeiting.
By combining visible and invisible photoluminescence with electrical conductivity, these materials enable layered, tamper-resistant security features. The research responds to growing concerns around product piracy by offering practical tools for verifying the authenticity of trademarked goods.
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Counterfeiting and the Limits of Conventional Security Features
Product piracy, including counterfeiting and trademark infringement, poses significant economic challenges across various industries, including fashion, electronics, software, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. In 2019 alone, the European Union (EU) reported losses of approximately €119 billion due to such illegal activities.
Traditional anti-counterfeiting approaches often rely on visible labels or tags that can be easily copied, highlighting the need for more sophisticated security solutions. In response, scientists have developed advanced technologies based on stimulus-responsive materials that generate unique identifiers when exposed to specific triggers like light, temperature, or chemicals.
Among these, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), hybrid materials composed of inorganic nodes and organic linkers, have emerged as promising candidates. Their nanosized variants (NanoMOFs) offer enhanced surface area, improved dispersibility, and tunable optical and electronic properties, making them suitable for creating advanced anti-counterfeiting materials that integrate multiple layered security functions.
About this Research: NanoMOFs as Photonic Security Enablers
The authors synthesized and characterized nine composite materials by integrating trivalent lanthanide-containing NanoMOFs, specifically europium (Eu), terbium (Tb), and ytterbium (Yb), with various polymer matrices.
The matrices, including poly(sodium-p-styrene sulfonate) (PSS), pyrolyzed resorcinol-formaldehyde (pRF), and polysulfone (PSUd), were selected for their complementary physical and chemical properties to form MMMs and composite powders. These materials were designed to provide multilevel anti-counterfeiting capabilities through a combination of visible light emission (Level I), near-infrared (NIR) emission (Level II), and electrical conductivity (Level III).
The NanoMOFs were synthesized using surfactant-assisted techniques to ensure nanoscale size and improved dispersibility, while the composites were fabricated via solution casting and solvothermal synthesis methods. Then, characterization was performed using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy.
These techniques assessed structural integrity, particle size distribution, chemical composition, and optical behavior to confirm the materials' suitability for advanced security implications.
Key Findings and Insights: Impacts of Using NanoMOF
The study showed that the synthesized composites exhibited strong photoluminescent properties, with visible emissions (400-800 nm) from Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions and NIR emissions from Yb3+ ions. These features represent the first two levels of anti-counterfeiting security: Level I (detectable by the naked eye) and Level II (invisible to the naked eye). The properties of NanoMOF were interdependent, meaning that changing one feature could influence the others, making the materials more difficult to counterfeit.
The addition of conductive matrices such as PSS and pRF introduced a third security level (Level III) through their inherent electronic functionality. Characterization confirmed that the composites maintained structural integrity and were well-dispersed within the polymers, ensuring uniformity and long-term stability.
The ability to fine-tune luminescence by adjusting the ratios of Eu3+ and Tb3+ optimized emission properties for targeted security applications. A proof-of-concept experiment demonstrated the successful integration of the composites into fabric layers, showcasing their potential use in textiles and consumer goods while maintaining both optical and electronic functionalities under ambient conditions.
Potential Applications in Anti-Counterfeiting
This research has significant implications for industries vulnerable to counterfeiting. The NanoMOF-based composites provide robust, multilayered security by combining visible and NIR photoluminescence with electrical conductivity. These features can be embedded into packaging, textiles, and product labels without altering aesthetics or manufacturing processes.
For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, the materials could be integrated into drug packaging to ensure authenticity and protect public health. In the fashion and luxury sectors, they could be applied to fabrics or tags, enabling consumers to verify authenticity using portable electronic devices. Including hidden NIR emissions adds complexity to the security system, making replication more difficult and enhancing counterfeit deterrence.
By enabling smart, easily verifiable anti-counterfeiting tags, this technology represents a significant advancement in product authentication and brand protection.
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Conclusion
In summary, this study offers a significant step forward in anti-counterfeiting technology through the development of NanoMOF-based composites that integrate optical and electronic functionalities. By combining visible and hidden luminescence with conductive properties, the materials create a multilayered security system that is difficult to replicate, providing a practical and scalable deterrent to counterfeiting.
Future research could focus on refining synthesis methods, exploring additional lanthanide elements and polymer matrices, and expanding real-world applications in packaging, textiles, and labeling. These findings position NanoMOF composites as a promising solution for enhancing product security and consumer confidence in an increasingly complex global marketplace.
Journal Reference
Maxeiner, M., et al. (2025). NanoMOF-Based Multilevel Anti-Counterfeiting by a Combination of Visible and Invisible Photoluminescence and Conductivity. Advanced Functional Materials. DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202500794, https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202500794
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