Rapid synthesis of C-dot@TiO2 core-shell composite labeling agent: Probing of complex fingerprints recovery in fresh water

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 742; pp. 1006 - 1018
• Main Authors: Amith Yadav, H.J., Eraiah, B., Basavaraj, R.B., Nagabhushana, H., Darshan, G.P., Sharma, S.C., Daruka Prasad, B., Nithya, R., Shanthi, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.04.2018
• Subjects: Carbon dots; Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; Fingerprint; Fresh water; Lip print; Lip print; Fingerprint; Carbon dots; Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; Fresh water
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.12.251

A straightforward and facile one-pot synthesis of carbon dots from pomegranate waste peels was performed using the hydrothermal carbonization technique at a gentle temperature (180 °C). The carbon dots/TiO2 (C-dot@TiO2) core-shell nanostructures (NSs) are prepared by hydrothermal route. The obtained products are well characterized for their chemical composition and morphological features by different spectroscopic and transmission electron microscopy. The synthesized C-dot@TiO2 are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectrophotometer, UV–Vis absorption spectra as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results reveal that the as-prepared C-dots are spherical in shape with an average diameter of 6 μm. Powder dusting method is used to visualize latent fingerprints (FPs) by staining uncoated and carbon coated NSs on various porous and non-porous surfaces and observed under UV light irradiation. The optimized powders are also used to recover latent prints submerged in water on different non-porous dried surfaces including aluminum foil, glass, mica sheet and different textured marbles. Also, the duration of submersion affects the quality of FPs developed; the longer the duration, the worse the quality is. It is clear that core-shell NSs display high sensitivity, reproducibility, selectivity, reliability, and can obtain the complete three levels of ridge details. [Display omitted] •C-dots are prepared via hydrothermal carbonization of pomegranate peel extract.•LFPs are visualized using C-dot@TiO2 core-shell composites on various porous and non-porous surfaces.•Powder dusting method is used to visualize the LFPs submerged in water.