Dual-Mode Fluorescence Enhancement of Skin-Print Using NaYF4:Yb, Er/CDs Nanocomposites
LI Wei-lin1, WANG Meng2*, XU Ying1, HUANG Yi-xiang3, LIU Jian-yu1
1. Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Anhui Police College, Hefei 230000, China
2. College of Forensic Sciences, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang 110035, China
3. Department of Criminal Investigation, Anhui Police College, Hefei 230000, China
Abstract：Skin-print development, as one of the essential technologies in the field of forensic science, is the basic premise for skin-print analysis and identification. Based on the research achievements of latent finger-print development using fluorescent nanomaterials, this paper puts forward a method of skin-print development followed by a strategy of dual-mode fluorescent enhancement using the nanocomposite (NCs) composed of rare earth doped up-conversion fluorescent nanomaterials (UC NMs) and carbon dots (CDs), to improve the quality of skin-print development. NaYF4:Yb, Er UC NMs and CDs down-conversion (DC) fluorescent NMs were respectively synthesized by thermal decomposition method and solvothermal method, then NaYF4:Yb, Er/CDs NCs with both UC and DC fluorescent properties were thus formed by loading the CDs onto the surface of NaYF4:Yb, Er NMs. Through optimization, the doping ratio of the CDs suspension to NaYF4:Yb, Er powder was determined to be 0.017 5 μL·mg-1. The as-prepared NCs were quasi-spherical in shape, with an average diameter of 22.2 nm, and were modified with carboxyl groups on their surface. The characteristic peaks assigned to NaYF4:Yb, Er, and CDs appeared in both the Raman spectrum and the X-ray diffraction spectrum of NaYF4:Yb, Er/CDs NCs. The NCs exhibited an ultraviolet (UV) absorption peak at 359 nm and displayed a DC fluorescent emission at 468 nm upon excitation with 365 nm UV light. Additionally, the NCs exhibited a near-infrared (NIR) absorption peak at 977 nm, which could produce three UC fluorescent emissions at 520, 540, and 654 nm upon excitation with 980 nm NIR light. In addition, it was confirmed that both the CDs suspension and the NaYF4:Yb, Er/CDs powder exhibit wavelength-dependent excitation properties. The as-prepared NCs were subsequently used for powder-dusting development, followed by dual-mode fluorescence enhancement of latent skin prints, including fingerprints, palm prints, footprints, lip prints, and pinna prints. Experimental results showed that, excited with 365~415 nm light under DC fluorescence enhancement mode, the skin-print could emit seven colors of fluorescence, including red, orange, yellow, yellow-green, green, blue-green, and blue; excited with 980 nm light under UC fluorescence enhancement mode, the skin-print could emit green fluorescence. After powder-dusting development and fluorescence enhancement, a strong contrast between the developing signal and background noise could be achieved, allowing for well-defined outlines, coherent ridges, and clear minutiae to be obtained. Additionally, a strong contrast between papillary ridges and furrows could be observed. The skin-print development and enhancement using NaYF4:Yb, Er/CDs NCs proposed in this study was proved to be suitable for dealing with the skin-prints on smooth objects with high sensitivity, contrast, and selectivity.
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