Synthesis and characterization of fluorescent N-CDs/ZnONPs nanocomposite for latent fingerprint detection by using powder brushing method

This study reports the first new approach of using nitrogen functionalized carbon dots coated on zinc oxide nanoparticles (N-CDs/ZnONPs) as a novel nanocomposite for latent fingerprint detection using the powder brushing method. N-CDs/ZnONPs nanocomposite was prepared using melamine, potato peel waste and zinc acetate dehydrate as precursors. This nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Zeta nanosizer, Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The size of N-CDs was around at 50–20 nm and ZnONPs was around at 40–50 nm. The quantum yield of N-CDs increased the fluorescence intensity of the fluorophore by 5.54%. The N-CDs were coated on surface of ZnONPs to increase the quantum yield and increase the blue emission after formation of N-CDs/ZnONPs by 5.12%. The N-CDs/ZnONPs nanocomposite demonstrated extraordinary sensitivity and selectivity for Latent Fingerprint (LPF) detection on the distinctive non-porous substrates which included aluminum foil, aluminum sheets, an aluminum rod, an iron disc, a compact disc, a black mat, white marble and magazine paper. This nanocomposite acts as a labeling agent and it helped to detect LFP with clear readability ridges and high contrast fingerprint images under UV light irradiation. N-CDs/ZnONPs nanocomposite additionally demonstrated superior ability to reveal readability ridges and clarity and high contrast LFP images with 415 nm and 450 nm light sources and a yellow filter by using a Living Image Microscope. This nanocomposite exhibited advantages such as improved efficiency, a non-toxic nature, good optical properties and good results in the LFP detection of the freshly applied fingerprints. N-CDs/ZnONPs nanocomposite is, therefore, a good alternative material for detection of latent fingerprints in crime investigations.