Authors
Abstract
In the present study, we investigate upon the synthesis and characterization of inorganic Eu 3+ doped Al2O3 nanophosphor for its structural and luminescent properties. The luminescent nanopowder was prepared using a combustion method in which the stoichiometric ratio of oxidizers and fuel was fixed to one, with varying concentration of Eu 3+ ions acting as an activator. The prepared powder showed excellent thermal stability. For the identification of the phase and structure of the powder synthesized, X-ray diffractometer was used. From the XRD analysis, it is revealed that the rhombohedral crystallite phase of α-alumina was formed. The type of morphology and particle size was ascertained by Filed Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) and it was found that particles were having irregular spherical shape. A qualitative analysis of these nanophosphor particles was made using an Energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS) and it was found that the samples were composed of Al, O and Eu ions. Photo-luminescence (PL) spectra were obtained using Spectrofluorometer absorption. The intense band position was observed at 618 nm and other less intense bands were also seen at 592 nm, 601 nm, 631 nm, while two weak bands were observed at 660 nm and 718 nm, when excited at 226 nm. The CIE color space chromaticity diagram was calculated from the CIE Calculator program using obtained PL spectra. The prepared nanophosphor powder was tested for latent fingerprint detection in forensic applications. The synthesized nanophosphor was successfully used as a latent fingerprint developing powder on various non-porous surfaces for forensic application.
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