High-contrast multi-surface imaging of latent fingerprints using color-tunable YOF:Tb3+,Eu3+ ultrafine nanophosphors with high quantum yield.

Visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) using conventional powders has faced challenges on multicolor surfaces. However, these challenges are addressed by the advent of fluorescent powders in LFP detection, and they have redefined the effectiveness of the powder dusting method. In this study, color-tunable YOF:Tb3+,Eu3+ nanophosphors were examined for LFP recognition and were evaluated for their practicality on different types of surfaces. Under 254 nm UV irradiation, the LFPs developed using these nanophosphors showed clear and distinct ridge patterns with level 1, 2, and 3 details. The ultrafine particles of these nanophosphors adhered to the ridge patterns and replicated the minutiae of the LFPs. Meanwhile, the variation of the Tb3+/Eu3+ ratio demonstrated multicolor fluorescence emission from the nanophosphors, which provided better contrast between the ridge patterns on complex surfaces. Furthermore, the high luminescence quantum yield of the nanophosphors ensured high-resolution fluorescence images of the LFPs with a well-defined pattern that was recognizable even without any microscope or sophisticated instrumentation.

Influence of Li+ charge compensator ion on the energy transfer from Pr3+ to Gd3+ ions in Ca9Mg(PO4)6F2:Gd3+, Pr3+, Li+ phosphor.

Phototherapy is a renowned treatment for curing skin diseases since ancient times. Phototherapeutic treatment for psoriasis and many other diseases require narrow band ultra violet-B (NB-UVB) light with peak intensity at 313nm to be exposed to the affected part of body. In this paper, we report combustion synthesis of NB-UVB -313nm emitting Ca9Mg(PO4)6F2 phosphors doped with Gd3+, Pr3+ and Li+ ions. The phase formation was confirmed by obtaining X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and morphology was studied with the Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra show intense narrow band emission at 313nm under 274nm excitation wavelengths. Emission intensity was enhanced when Ca9Mg(PO4)6F2 compound is co-doped with Pr3+ ions. Excitation spectra of Ca9Mg(PO4)6F2:Gd3+, Pr3+ doped samples shows broad excitation in ultra violet C (UVC) region. Diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), obtained by UV-visible spectrophotometer, measures the absorption properties of the material. By applying Kubelka Munk function on the diffuse reflectance spectra, band gap of the material is determined. PL decay curves were examined which indicates efficient energy transfer between Pr3+ and Gd3+ ions. Charge compensation effect was also studied by co-doping Li+ ion in host. Emission intensity was found to increase with the addition of charge compensator. The prepared phosphor has potential to convert UVC light into NB-UVB. The luminescence intensity of Gd3+ shows remarkable increase when it is sensitized with Pr3+, and an addition of charge compensator in the form of Li+, show even better results. This phosphor surely has the potential to be used as phototherapy lamp phosphor.

Synthesis and Luminescence Characterization of LaBO3:Dy3+ Phosphor for Stress Sensing Application.

LaBO3:xDy3+ (x = 0.05 mol%, 0.1 mol%, 0.2 mol%, 0.5 mol%, 1 mol% and 2 mol%) phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction technique was used to confirm the formation of compound. Photoluminescence emission spectra shows two emission peaks at 470 nm and 575 nm when excitation wavelength is set at 352 nm. Photoluminescence intensity increases upto 1 mol % of Dy3+ and then starts decreasing. Dipole-dipole interaction is found to be responsible for concentration quenching of photoluminescence intensity. Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity diagram demonstrates that the phosphor emits in bluish white region of the visible spectrum. Critical energy transfer distance between dopant ions was determined. The mechanoluminescence characteristics were studied by the impact method. The peaks of both the mechanoluminescence (ML) intensity and the total ML intensity of the UV exposed phosphors increases with increasing impact velocity for 1 mol % concentration of Dy3+. The ML sensitivity of the LaBO3:Dy3+ (Dy3+ = 1 mol %) phosphor is comparable with the reported ML of various inorganic phosphors. The thermoluminescence characteristics of the samples were also investigated. Thermoluminescence glow peaks were recorded with 480 Gy, 80 Gy and 20 Gy dose of γ-irradiation from Co60 Source. TL trapping parameters were determined by Chen's peak shape method and glow curve deconvolution method. LaBO3:Dy3+ phosphors were found to be good mechanoluminescent materials and can be used in stress sensing application.

Photoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance properties of a potential phototherapic agent: MMgF4 :Gd3+ (M = Ba, Sr) sub-microphosphors.

Novel narrow band UVB-emitting phosphors, BaMgF4 :Gd3+ and SrMgF4 :Gd3+ phosphors, were synthesized using a co-precipitation synthesis method. X-Ray diffraction analysis was carried out to confirm compound formation, phase purity and crystallinity of the phosphor. At 274 nm excitation, phosphors show a sharp narrow band emission at 313 nm that can be assigned to 6 P7/2  â†’ 8 S7/2 transition of the Gd3+ ion. With increasing dopant concentration, intensity enhances and then decreases after a certain concentration, which is an indication of concentration quenching taking place in the phosphor. Scanning electron microscopy images of the phosphor show agglomerated particles in the sub-micron range. Particles range in size from 600 to 800 nm. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of the phosphors were carried out to detect radicals present in the prepared phosphor. With narrow band UVB emission, phosphor seems to be a good candidate for UV phototherapy application. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Investigation of UV-emitting Gd(3+)-doped LiCaBO3 phosphor.

Incorporating the Gd(3+) rare earth ion in the LiCaBO3 host lattice resulted in narrow-band UV-B emission peaking at 315 nm, with excitation at 274 nm. The LiCaBO3:Gd(3+) phosphor was synthesized via the solid-state diffusion method. The structural, morphological and luminescence properties of this phosphor were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) characterization of the as-prepared phosphors is also reported here. XRD studies confirmed the crystal formation and phase purity of the prepared phosphors. A series of different dopant concentrations was synthesized and the concentration-quenching effect was studied. Critical energy transfer distance between activator ions was determined and the mechanism governing the concentration quenching is also reported in this paper.