Reversible Thermochromic Ink based on Crystal Violet Lactone/Boric Acid/Hexadecyl Alcohol for Anti-Counterfeiting Printing

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to prepare reversible thermochromic materials with good discoloration properties, which are used as fillers to prepare a new type of reversible thermochromic ink. Reversible thermochromic materials were prepared by solid phase method with crystal violet lactone as chromogenic agent, boric acid as chromogenic agent and hexadecanol as cosolvent, and reversible thermochromic ink was prepared by using thermochromic material as filler. The scanning electron microscope images of reversible thermochromic materials showed that the prepared materials were spherical and had the advantages of non-adhesion. The printability of reversible thermochromic ink was discussed by changing the parameters including content of thermochromic material, printing pressure, ink sequence and using printability tester. The test of color change performance of thermochromic ink showed that the color change temperature range was 47.5–51.1 ◦ C, the color change time was 46 s, the recolor time was 29 s, and the stability was excellent. The reversible thermochromic ink has a certain application value in anti-counterfeiting printing.