Switchable information carriers based on shape memory polymer
- Herein we demonstrate the realization of a new technological concept, which enables the use of shape memory polymers (SMPs) as switchable information carriers. At first, we applied a surface-specific dyeing process based on 'guest-diffusion' on two sophisticated polymeric host materials, including a thermoplastic poly(ester urethane) SMP and a thermoset epoxy-based SMP. Upon drying, self-assembly of the dye molecules inside the polymer surfaces occurred, resulting in homogeneous color penetration depths of about 100 µm. Subsequently, the colored surfaces were patterned with quick response (QR) codes. For this purpose, laser ablation was used. The resulting cavity depth was exceeding the color penetration depth. This assured sufficient surface contrast and rendered the QR codes machine-readable. In a progressive approach, two thermo-mechanical functionalization protocols were designed in accordance with the thermal properties of the polymers. As a result of programming, the tagHerein we demonstrate the realization of a new technological concept, which enables the use of shape memory polymers (SMPs) as switchable information carriers. At first, we applied a surface-specific dyeing process based on 'guest-diffusion' on two sophisticated polymeric host materials, including a thermoplastic poly(ester urethane) SMP and a thermoset epoxy-based SMP. Upon drying, self-assembly of the dye molecules inside the polymer surfaces occurred, resulting in homogeneous color penetration depths of about 100 µm. Subsequently, the colored surfaces were patterned with quick response (QR) codes. For this purpose, laser ablation was used. The resulting cavity depth was exceeding the color penetration depth. This assured sufficient surface contrast and rendered the QR codes machine-readable. In a progressive approach, two thermo-mechanical functionalization protocols were designed in accordance with the thermal properties of the polymers. As a result of programming, the tag prototypes were converted into stable, temporary shapes with non-decodable QR code information. When thermally triggering the shape memory effect on the functionalized tags, we verified the mostly complete recovery of the polymer surface and the associated restoration into the almost original shape. As such, the QR code could again precisely be read out. We anticipate that tagging products with these information carriers is helpful for the purpose of secure one-time identification.…
Autor*innen: | Thorsten Pretsch, Melanie Ecker, Markus Schildhauer, Michael Maskos |
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Dokumenttyp: | Zeitschriftenartikel |
Veröffentlichungsform: | Verlagsliteratur |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Titel des übergeordneten Werkes (Englisch): | Journal of materials chemistry |
Jahr der Erstveröffentlichung: | 2012 |
Verlag: | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Verlagsort: | Cambridge |
Jahrgang/Band: | 22 |
Ausgabe/Heft: | 16 |
Erste Seite: | 7757 |
Letzte Seite: | 7766 |
Freie Schlagwörter: | Authentification; Epoxy-based polymer; Functionalized tags; Guest diffusion; Identification; Laser ablation; Laser marking; Poly(ester urethane); QR code; Shape memory polymer; Smart tagging; Surface-specific dyeing; Switchable information carrier; Tag technology; Thermo-responsive polymer |
DOI: | 10.1039/c2jm16204k |
ISSN: | 0959-9428 |
ISSN: | 1364-5501 |
Verfügbarkeit des Dokuments: | Physisches Exemplar in der Bibliothek der BAM vorhanden ("Hardcopy Access") |
Bibliotheksstandort: | Sonderstandort: Publica-Schrank |
Datum der Freischaltung: | 19.02.2016 |
Referierte Publikation: | Ja |
Datum der Eintragung als referierte Publikation: | 19.04.2012 |