Chemistry

Glowing chemical compound detects fingerprints and fights counterfeit products

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FluorescenceLuminescenceAnti-counterfeitin…

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Researchers developed a multifunctional luminescent material based on terbium ions (Tb3+) coordinated with salicylic acid hydrazide that exhibits strong green fluorescence under UV light. The material demonstrates three distinct practical applications: anti-counterfeiting measures through invisible security markings, visualization of latent fingerprints on various surfaces for forensic investigations, and potential use in biological imaging due to its low toxicity and strong optical properties. The phosphor shows high selectivity, sensitivity, and stability across different environmental conditions.


This versatile material addresses multiple real-world challenges with a single compound, offering law enforcement a safer alternative for fingerprint detection, manufacturers a tool for product authentication, and researchers a potential biocompatible imaging agent. The development demonstrates how rare-earth coordination compounds can be engineered for practical applications across security, forensic science, and biomedicine.


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Source: A multifunctional Tb3+–salicylic acid hydrazide phosphor for anti-counterfeiting, forensic fingerprint visualization, and biological applications