Spatiotemporal Regulation Enabling Photo‐Dimerizable Gel Networks Toward Multi‐Channel Information Encryption

Abstract Multi‐channel information encryption is of great significance for the improvement of information capacity and the enhancement of information security. However, it is still limited to complex molecular design, material preparation and information coding processes. Herein, a novel polymer gel with fluorescence and structural color is constructed to output multi‐channel information display by regionally regulating the dimerization of anthracene units. In this system, the functional monomer anthracen‐9‐yl acrylate (9‐ANA) is co‐polymerized in a polymer network of poly (ethylene glycol) phenyl ether acrylate (PEGPEA), which is filled with assembled silica colloidal particles. By regulating UV irradiation time, the dimerization of anthracene can adjust the fluorescence of anthracene and increase the cross‐linking density of the polymer matrix. As a result, patterns that are loaded with the aid of photomasks can output different information under various stimuli such as UV irradiation, uniaxial tension, and solvent stimulation to achieve multi‐channel information decryption. This work provides new ideas for the design of new encryption‐decryption materials.