Phosphorescent supramolecular systems for medicine anticounterfeiting

Realizing reliable medicine anticounterfeiting with safe and robust materials remains a challenge. We address this issue by preparing a class of edible phosphorescent supramolecules (VB10@α/β-CDs) based on easily available α/β-cyclodextrins (α/β-CDs) and vitamin B10 (VB10). Concisely grinding them with water or co-crystallization from aqueous solution, the resulting host−guest complexes VB10@α/β-CDs exhibit a long phosphorescence lifetime of up to 1.16 s and a high photoluminescent quantum yield of up to 86.5%, The encapsulation of α/β-CDs reverses the energy ordering of VB10’s excited singlet states, promotes the formation of the minimum energy crossing point (MECP) between singlet state and triplet state, and therefore boosts phosphorescence. VB10@α/β-CDs are attractive as phosphorescent inks for in-medicine anticounterfeiting because of the advantages of an edible nature, good moisture robustness, room-temperature phosphorescence and circularly polarized luminescence. Therefore, the present phosphorescent supramolecules as well as the elucidated MECP-involved mechanism would promote in-depth understanding of phosphorescence enhancement strategy. Medicine anticounterfeiting represents a significant challenge, with methods for detection of this limited. Here, the authors report the development of edible phosphorescent supramolecules suitable for use as phosphorescent inks for in-medicine anticounterfeiting.