Anticounterfeiting tags based on randomly oriented MoSx clusters enabled by capillary and Marangoni flow

Abstract

Recent advances in anticounterfeiting technology highlight the importance of functional materials with innovative processing methods for achieving robust anticounterfeiting tags. Here, we report a fabrication approach that enables the formation of randomly oriented MoSx or MoOx clusters of unpredictable shapes for use as anticounterfeiting tags. We exploit the combined effects of capillary and Marangoni flows to drive solute in a pre-deposited wet film that produces random clusters, creating tags. The reading of these tags is achieved using high-speed confocal laser microscopy, which allows for the extraction of complex topographies in seconds. The digitization of the tags involves converting height profiles into grayscale images, followed by the application of mathematical tools and the von Neumann debiasing technique. The extracted keys are subjected to the NIST statistical test, which consists of six tests to confirm the randomness of the generated keys. The recent advancements in anticounterfeiting technology highlight the importance of functional materials with innovative processing methods to achieve robust anticounterfeiting tags. © 2023, The Author(s).