Synthesis and characterization of fluorescent Europium (III) complex based on D-dextrose composite for latent fingerprint detection

A europium salt-Na[Eu(5,5′-DMBP)(phen)₃]·Cl₃ (Eu(III)-CPLx) was prepared by using various precursors such as 5,5′-Dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl (5,5′-DMBP), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and europium chloride hexahydrate (EuCl₃·6H₂O) by a complexation method. The red emission fluorescent Na[Eu(5,5′-DMBP)(phen)₃]·Cl₃/D-Dextrose (Eu(III)-CPLx/D-Dex) composite was synthesized by using an adsorption method with Eu(III)-CPLx and D-Dextrose (D-Dex). The Eu(III)-CPLx and fluorescent (Eu(III)-CPLx/D-Dex) composites were characterized by numerous techniques. The fluorescent (Eu(III)-CPLx/D-Dex) composite demonstrated a strong red emission and controlled fluorescence quenching in the solid state and was consequently used in latent fingerprint (LFP) detection. The LFPs were developed by using a powder dusting method (PDM) with Eu(III)-CPLx and fluorescent Eu(III)-CPLx/D-Dex composites on different substrates under daylight and UV-light irradiation at 365 nm. The fluorescent Eu(III)-CPLx/D-Dex composite was effectively explored for developing LFP images on various substrates and also acts as a better labeling agent for LFP detection in forensic science crime scene investigations.