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Host University: Cornell
Progress:
Quarterly Report: April 1-June 30, 2009
Fluorescent core-shell silica nanoparticles have been successfully incorporated into cellulose acetate fibers for use as an anti-counterfeiting device. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that increasing the amount of C dots in the spinning solution did not increase the final weight percent of C dots within the fibers. SEM images proved that the nanoparticle incorporation did not affect the general morphology and size of the fibers. Confocal microscopy confirmed that the C dots fluoresce within the fiber at a specific wavelength of light, and appear white under visible light. ASTM standards and the student’s t-test were used to assess the mechanical properties of the fibers and fabrics. These tests determined that the addition of the C dots did not significantly affect the mechanical properties of the fibers. This research provides compelling evidence that fibers containing fluorescent silica nanoparticles have the potential to be used as a novel anti-counterfeiting device.
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