Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-02509

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Efficient Ce$^{3+} →$ Tb$^{3+}$ Energy Transfer in RbY$_3$F$_{10}$ Phosphor for High-Contrast Latent Fingerprint Visualization

Milenković, K.Extern* ; Ristic, Z.Extern* ; Pankratov, V.Extern* ; Sarakovskis, A.Extern* ; Brites, C. D. S. ; Carlos, L. D. ; Dramićanin, M. D.Extern* ; Đorđević, V. (Corresponding author)

2026
Soc. Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1021/acs.jpcc.6c03119  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-02509

Abstract: Ce3+/Tb3+ codoped RbY3F10 nanophosphors weresynthesized by a microwave-assisted solvothermal method andinvestigated as UV-excited green-emitting materials for latentfingerprint visualization. The study combines structural character-ization, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spec-troscopy, and proof-of-concept fingerprint development to clarifythe relationship between Ce3+ → Tb3+ sensitization and practicalimaging performance. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed theformation of a single-phase face-centered cubic structure (Fm3̅m)and successful dopant incorporation, while TEM, EDS, andelemental mapping analyses revealed flower-like aggregatescomposed of ∼40 nm primary nanoparticles and a homogeneousdistribution of Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions throughout the particles. Photoluminescence measurements revealed efficient sensitization ofTb3+ green emission via Ce3+ → Tb3+ energy transfer under UV excitation. The composition showing the highest emission intensitywithin the investigated series was RbY2.1Ce0.3Tb0.6F10. The optimized phosphor exhibits a strong emission peak at 544 nm with aninternal quantum yield of 0.47 under 258 nm excitation. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements revealed a significantshortening of the Ce3+ emission lifetime as Tb3+ concentration increased (0−20 mol %), with a maximum energy transfer efficiencyof ∼90% at the optimized composition. Analysis based on Dexter’s multipolar interaction model indicated a dipole−dipoledominated mechanism, supported by a critical transfer distance of ∼7.5 Å. The combination of high energy-transfer efficiency andstable green emission under UV excitation indicates that Rb-based fluoride hosts are suitable for Ce3+/Tb3+ systems, and theirpossibility for latent fingerprint visualization was experimentally demonstrated.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
2. NEPHEWS - NEutrons and PHotons Elevating Worldwide Science (NEPHEWS) (101131414) (101131414)
3. FS-Proposal: I-20250639 EC (I-20250639-EC) (I-20250639-EC)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P66 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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