Designing energy transfer-based color-tunable, information-encrypting, luminous hydro-gels, and latent fingerprint detection systems using BaLa2ZnO5:Tb3+, Bi3+ nanophosphors

Abstract

Synthesizing cost-effective blue-green emitting BaLa2ZnO5:Tb3+, Bi3+ nanophosphors (BLZO:Tb3+, Bi3+ NPs) through an eco-friendly urea-aided combustion method. Thorough examination of phase purity, structure, surface characteristics, and luminescent properties of the resulting products reveals a robust blue-green emission linked to the 5D4 → 7F5 transition of Tb3+ under 365 nm UV excitation, as well as evident energy transfer from Bi3+ to Tb3+ within the co-doped BLZO, discussed in detail. Optimal doping concentrations are determined to be 5 mol% for Tb3+ and 0.3 mol% for Bi3+ in BLZO phosphor, with non-radiative transition mechanisms explaining concentration quenching. BLZO:Tb3+ NPs emits green light, while co-doping with Bi3+ shifted to the blue-green region. The optimized phosphor is employed for latent fingerprint (LFP) development on porous, semi-porous, and non-porous surfaces, with clear visualization under 365 nm UV light. The generated fingerprints (FPs) display level I–III ridge features with exceptional sensitivity, selectivity, and contrast. The luminescent hydro-gels exhibit outstanding photo-stability, chemical stability, and long-term durability, making them ideal for anti-counterfeiting (AC) applications. Furthermore, BLZO:Tb3+, Bi3+ NPs demonstrate the ability to mitigate oxidative stress and thrombosis, evidenced by their DPPH scavenging activity and their capacity to normalize stress indicators in Red Blood Cells (RBC) exposed to NaNO2-induced oxidative stress. These NPs also reduce ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Collectively, these results highlight the effective utilization of the optimized phosphor in display devices, advanced forensics, anti-counterfeiting measures, and biomedical applications.