Boosted photochromic properties by carbon dots based on Förster resonance energy transfer

, this study further explores their potential in multi-layered anti-counterfeiting labels and a time-resolved encryption system, enabling dynamic optical information encoding. This work not only reveals the key role of the FRET mechanism over CDs in modified photochromic materials, but also paves the way for next-generation anti-counterfeiting and secure data storage applications.