Colour quality parameters and enhanced white light emanation via solution combustion derived MoO3:Dy3+ micro-architectures: Fluorescent probe for sensitive visualization of latent fingerprints

Abstract Herein, we report a series of MoO3:Dy3+ (1–9 mol %) nanophosphors were synthesized by solution combustion route using barbituric acid as a fuel. The structural studies clearly show the orthorhombic phase of α-MoO3. Hierarchical microstructures were confirmed from scanning electron microscope. The optical band gap of the prepared nanophosphor was found to be in the range ~3.24–3.4 eV. The photoluminescence study revealed that the prepared samples emitted white light arising from the two dominant emission bands in the blue and yellow region corresponding to the 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 transitions under near ultraviolet excitation. The intensive photoluminescence emission was recorded for 5 mol % Dy3+ doped MoO3 nanophosphor. The latent fingerprints were visualized using optimized powder revealed type 1–3 ridge characteristics on many filtrating and non-filtrating surfaces upon normal light illumination. Based on the dominant white emission intensity under ultra-violet excitation, the prepared nanophosphors are expected to find potential applications in the production of white light for phosphor converted white light emitting diodes and advanced forensic applications.