Synthesis of Gd2O3:Ho3+/Yb3+ upconversion nanoparticles for latent fingermark detection on difficult surfaces

Infrared to visible upconversion fluorescent nanoparticles of Gd2O3 codoped with Ho3+/Yb3+ ions are synthesized via thermal decomposition process. The X-ray diffraction analysis of as-synthesized nanoparticles and annealed sample at 1000 degrees C has shown body-centered cubic phase of Gd2O3. The synthesized phosphor has shown intense green emission upon 980-nm excitation. High-contrast latent fingermarks on some difficult semiporous and non-porous surfaces under 980-nm diode laser excitation were developed through powder dusting and colloidal solution spraying techniques and the results are compared with the commercial green luminescent fingermark powder. The latent fingermarks were developed on transparent (biological glass slides), single-color (aluminum foil) and multicolor (plywood, plastic bottle and book cover page) background surfaces. The present study depicts that the upconversion-based latent fingermarks detection using Gd2O3:Ho3+/Yb3+ phosphor material is suitable over the other conventional powders and has potential for practical applications in forensic science.