Up-converting LuF3 and NaLuF4 fluorides doped with Yb3+/Er3+ or Yb3+/Tm3+ ions for latent fingermarks detection

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2019-05, Vol.784, p.641-652
• Main Authors: Bartkowiak, Aleksandra, Siejca, Antoni, Borkowski, Krzysztof, Lis, Stefan, Grzyb, Tomasz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conversion; Energy transfer; Erbium; Excitation; Fingerprint detection; Fingerprints; Fluorides; Hydrothermal method; Latent fingermarks; Latent fingerprints; LuF3; Luminescence; Lutetium; NaLuF4; Near infrared radiation; Synthesis; Thulium; Up-conversion; Upconversion; Yb/Er; Yb/Tm; Ytterbium
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.12.344

The article describes the properties of LuF3 and NaLuF4 fluorides doped with Yb3+ and Er3+ or Tm3+ ions, their comparison and application in latent fingermarks imaging. The single-phase materials were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method. They exhibited up-conversion (UC) phenomenon under excitation by the near-infrared (NIR) radiation at 975 nm. Under excitation, the energy transfer between Yb3+ and Er3+ or Tm3+ ions occurred and emissions in the visible range were recorded (green or blue for Er3+ or Tm3+ dopants respectively). The luminescence decays of as-prepared samples were measured allowing the calculation of luminescence lifetimes. The dependencies of integrated UC intensity on laser power density were measured for the obtained samples, revealing up to three-photon process for Yb3+ and Tm3+ co-doped and two-photon process for Yb3+ and Er3+ co-doped materials. Furthermore, up-converting lutetium fluorides synthesized in this report were successfully used to visualize latent fingermarks on various non-porous surfaces. [Display omitted] •LuF3 and β-NaLuF4 doped with lanthanide ions were prepared by a hydrothermal method.•Doping by 20% Yb3+ and 0.5% Er3+ or 0.5% Tm3+ ions resulted in intense up-conversion.•Prepared materials revealed latent fingermarks on various non-porous surfaces.