Detection of latent fingerprints using luminescent Gd0.95Eu0.05PO4 nanorods

Lanthanide ions doped luminescent materials are widely studied for latent fingerprint detection. However, most of these materials are synthesized at very high temperatures and use UV C light for visualization, which is harmful to eye, skin, etc. Herein, the Gd_0.95Eu_0.05PO₄ nanorods synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method at 185 °C were reported for latent fingerprint visualization under 395 nm light. The Gd_0.95Eu_0.05PO₄ nanomaterial has monoclinic crystal structure and shows rod-shaped morphology. Further, these Gd_0.95Eu_0.05PO₄ nanorods exhibit excellent photoluminescence properties and strong fuchsia emission under UV light. These nanorods have been employed for developing latent fingerprints on various porous and non-porous substrates by the powder dusting technique, which exhibits clear and well defined details with high contrast, selectivity and sensitivity under 395 nm UV light. Latent fingerprints developed after 72 h of their deposition also show clear contrast with these nanorods. Therefore, the Gd_0.95Eu_0.05PO₄ nanorods can be used for latent fingerprint visualization applications.