Information Storage Based on Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescent 3D Code Materials

With the booming of information technology, considerable progress has been witnessed in information storage carriers, accompanied by soaring storage capacity. 3D codes as an emerging information storage carrier has attracted wide attention. However, it is challenging for conventional 3D codes to transform their encoded information, restricting their applications. Due to their rich color characteristics and various stimuli responsiveness, fluorescent materials can be utilized to construct stimuli-responsive 3D code systems that can exhibit pattern changes upon specific external stimuli, thereby realizing information transformation. According to the type of stimuli responsiveness, several kinds of stimuli-responsive 3D code systems are classified and summarized, including pH responsiveness, ion responsiveness, light responsiveness, electricity responsiveness, time responsiveness, some separate stimuli responsiveness, and multiple responsiveness. This review summarizes the recent 3D code systems, elaborates on how they can realize information transformation, analyzes their potential applications, and puts forward some perspectives on further development in this field. The authors anticipate this review can provide guidelines for the design of novel information materials and promote the development of information science and technology.

Automated summary

With the advancement of information technology, 3D codes have attracted attention as emerging information storage carriers. However, conventional 3D codes face challenges in transforming encoded information. Fluorescent materials offer a solution by enabling the construction of stimuli-responsive 3D code systems that can transform information when exposed to specific external stimuli. This review summarizes different types of stimuli-responsive 3D code systems and discusses their potential applications.