biostudies-literatureCheng HNational Natural Science Foundation of China18381-18386https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9033396biostudies-literatureUnknown11(30)Carbon-based fluorescent security labels are effective methods to prevent counterfeiting. However, the properties of poor optical stability, complex and energy-consuming synthesis processes and weak bonding with substrates of carbon-based fluorescent materials limit their application prospects. Here, a novel <i>in situ</i> fluorescent patterning strategy is developed to achieve covert, chemically stable and solvent-tolerant cellulose-based security labels by UV exposure. The unsaturated double bonds as the origin of the fluorescence were generated during the photodegradation process under UV exposure. The fluorescent emission of cellulose-based materials reveals excellent stability under acidic, alkaline, reducing, oxidizing and non-polar solvent environments. These advantages give the cellulose nanofiber based security label fantastic potential applications.RSC advancesChemically stable fluorescent anti-counterfeiting labels achieved by UV-induced photolysis of nanocellulose.PMC90333966160502861775040Zheng YQiu HWei XWang WCheng HSu WfalseChemically stable fluorescent anti-counterfeiting labels achieved by UV-induced photolysis of nanocellulose.Carbon-based fluorescent security labels are effective methods to prevent counterfeiting. However, the properties of poor optical stability, complex and energy-consuming synthesis processes and weak bonding with substrates of carbon-based fluorescent materials limit their application prospects. Here, a novel <i>in situ</i> fluorescent patterning strategy is developed to achieve covert, chemically stable and solvent-tolerant cellulose-based security labels by UV exposure. The unsaturated double bonds as the origin of the fluorescence were generated during the photodegradation process under UV exposure. The fluorescent emission of cellulose-based materials reveals excellent stability under acidic, alkaline, reducing, oxidizing and non-polar solvent environments. These advantages give the cellulose nanofiber based security label fantastic potential applications.2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 May2025-04-04T14:49:19.554Z2025-04-04T14:49:19.554ZS-EPMC90333963548093010.1039/d1ra02089g