Immobilization of lanthanide-doped strontium aluminate into electrospun nanofibrous film of poly(vinyl chloride) and cellulose acetate hybrid towards smart authentication

[Display omitted] •Photochromic electrospun PVC/cellulose acetate fibers (80–320 nm) were prepared.•Particles (4–14 nm) of lanthanide aluminate were embedded in electrospun nanfibers.•Colorless nanofibrous films showed photochromism to green (520 nm) under UV.•Nanofibrous films showed durability, photostability and mechanical reliability.•Different contents of phosphor provided nanofibers with distinct emission features. Photochromic inks have proven an appealing authentication approach to boost the anti-counterfeiting efficiency of commercial products. However, photochromic inks have considerable drawbacks such as poor durability and high cost. Herein, we develop a cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting material using new photochromic nanofibers. Electrospun poly(vinyl chloride)/cellulose acetate (PVCA) hybrid nanofibrous (80–320 nm) films were used to encapsulate nanoparticles of lanthanide-doped strontium aluminate (NLSA; 4-14 nm). Durability and photostability were guaranteed by the current authentication nanofibrous films encapsulated with an inorganic photochromic agent. NLSA-encapsulated PVCA nanofibers (NLSA@PVCA) showed excellent reversibility and photostability. When varying the concentrations of NLSA, a wide variety of photochromic and afterglow PVCA nanofibers were created with distinct emission properties. Under normal lighting conditions, NLSA@PVCA was invisible, but under ultraviolet (UV) illumination, a green emission was detected. The photochromic fibrous films were analyzed in a number of analytical techniques to determine their structure and chemical composition. Paper coated with NLSA@PVCA was studied to learn more about its mechanical properties. The excitation wavelength was reported to be 365 nm, indicating transparency, while the emission wavelength was reported to be 520 nm, designating a green color. Anti-counterfeiting of commercialized goods can be accomplished with the help of the current PVCA nanofibrous film.