Improvement in fingerprint detection using Tb(III)-dipicolinic acid complex doped nanobeads and time resolved imaging

•Tb dipicolinic acid complex doped silica nanobeads as a fingerprint powder.•Functionalized the surface to increase lipophilicity for selective binding.•Optimised doping efficiency of complex into nanobeads.•Utilised time resolved imaging to successfully detect latent fingerprints.

This paper deals with the synthesis and application of lanthanide complex doped nanobeads used as a luminescent fingerprint powder. Due to their special optical properties, namely a long emission lifetime, sharp emission profiles and large Stokes shifts, luminescent lanthanide complexes are useful for discriminating against signals from background emissions. This is a big advantage because latent fingerprints placed on multicoloured fluorescent surfaces are difficult to develop with conventional powders. The complex of 2,6-dipicolinic acid (DPA) and terbium ([Tb(DPA)3]3−) is used for this purpose. Using the Stöber process, this complex is incorporated into a silica matrix forming nanosized beads (230–630 nm). It is shown that the [Tb(DPA)3]3− is successfully incorporated into the beads and that these beads exhibit the wanted optical properties of the complex. A phenyl functionalisation is applied to increase the lipophilicity of the beads and finally the beads are used to develop latent fingerprints. A device for time resolved imaging was built to improve the contrast between developed fingerprint and different background signals, whilst still detecting the long lasting luminescence of the complex. The developed fingerprint powder is therefore promising to develop fingerprints on multicoloured fluorescent surfaces.