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Graphical abstract Highlights • Two heteroleptic Ir(III) complex with AIPE properties were synthesized. • Information inks were prepared from Ir(III) complexes for data encryption. • Temperature was served as the "key" or "lock" of confidential information. Abstract In the present work, two environmentally friendly inks were obtained, capable of achieving information encryption based on two Ir(III) complexes with both multi-stimuli-sensitive and aggregation-induced phosphorescent emission (AIPE) properties. Two inks were prepared from the Ir(III) complexes, respectively. Interestingly, the two inks were coated on glass films and heated; a change in color was then observed under ultraviolet (UV) excitation. The color-changing temperatures of the films were 220 and 180 °C, meaning that temperature could be utilized as the "key" or "lock" to confidential information. More specifically, the encrypted information could be decrypted only by heating the glass film to the correct temperature; excessive heating caused the permanent damage and hiding of the information. All results indicated that the inks were promising solutions for information encryption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of a sensitive, accurate and convenient method to visualize latent fingermarks (LFs) is of great importance for police identification. In this work, a novel heteroleptic cationic Ir(III) complex ( DX-5 ), which exhibits dual emission ( λ max  = 362 nm, Ф  = 0.16 and λ max  = 494 nm, Ф  = 0.59) and aggregation-induced phosphorescent emission (AIPE) characteristics, was designed and synthesized. This complex was used to enhance the visualization of LFs on different surfaces of porous and non-porous substrates. The results illustrate that complex DX-5 can define the details of LFs up to the third level within 5 min, proving to be a candidate material for criminal investigations applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]