One step synthesis of hydrophobic carbon dots powder with solid state emission and application in rapid visualization of latent fingerprints

A one step thermal carbonization method for the preparation of solid state emitting N-doped carbon dots (NCDs) powder with hydrophobic nature is reported here. This method directly offers glowing NCDs powder in large quantities and do not involve tedious purification and drying steps. Physicochemical properties of as produced NCDs were explored using various analytical techniques and optical properties were studied in different solvents. The NCDs powder was applied for the rapid visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) on various porous and non-porous surfaces. With their green emission, NCDs were able to provide sufficient contrast on auto-fluorescent surfaces also. The LFPs developed with NCDs powder clearly presented level 2 and level 3 ridge details which are sufficient for the individual identification.