Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot Residues
Hydrogels based on mixed zirconium/europium ions and benzene tricarboxylic acid were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. A solid glass-like material is formed upon drying, showing strong reddish luminescence. The system was characterized by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, thermal analyses,...
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| author | Ayla Roberta Borges Serra Thiago Rui Casagrande Juliana Fonseca de Lima Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira Severino Alves Júnior Marcos de Oliveira Junior Osvaldo Antonio Serra |
| author_facet | Ayla Roberta Borges Serra Thiago Rui Casagrande Juliana Fonseca de Lima Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira Severino Alves Júnior Marcos de Oliveira Junior Osvaldo Antonio Serra |
| author_sort | Ayla Roberta Borges Serra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hydrogels based on mixed zirconium/europium ions and benzene tricarboxylic acid were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. A solid glass-like material is formed upon drying, showing strong reddish luminescence. The system was characterized by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, thermal analyses, and infrared spectroscopy. The results reveal the amorphous character of the structure and the presence of at least four types of binding modes between the metal oxide clusters and benzene tricarboxylic acid. On the other hand, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed high thermal stability, with the material decomposing at temperatures higher than 500 °C. The combination of intense Eu<sup>3+</sup> luminescence with large thermal stability makes this material a strong candidate for application as a luminescent red marker for gunshot residue (GSR). As proof of concept, we show the feasibility of this application by performing shooting tests using our compound as a GSR marker. After the shots, the residual luminescent particles could be visualized in the triggered cartridge, inner the muzzle of the firearm, and a lower amount on the hands of the shooter, using a UV lamp (λ = 254 nm). Remarkably, our results also show that the Eu<sup>3+</sup> emission for the GSR is very similar to that observed for the original solid material. These characteristics are of huge importance since they provide a chance to use smaller amounts of the marker in the ammunition, lowering the costs of potential industrial manufacturing processes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:53:47Z |
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| id | doaj.art-a8ed581e278a49bcaf58980be180416c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2413-4155 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:53:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
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| series | Sci |
| spelling | doaj.art-a8ed581e278a49bcaf58980be180416c2023-11-24T17:51:16ZengMDPI AGSci2413-41552022-11-01444310.3390/sci4040043Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot ResiduesAyla Roberta Borges Serra0Thiago Rui Casagrande1Juliana Fonseca de Lima2Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira3Severino Alves Júnior4Marcos de Oliveira Junior5Osvaldo Antonio Serra6Fundamental Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, BrazilChemistry Department, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, BrazilInstitute of Chemistry, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro 20550-900, RJ, BrazilChemistry Department, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, BrazilFundamental Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, BrazilSão Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 369, São Carlos 13566-590, SP, BrazilChemistry Department, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, BrazilHydrogels based on mixed zirconium/europium ions and benzene tricarboxylic acid were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. A solid glass-like material is formed upon drying, showing strong reddish luminescence. The system was characterized by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, thermal analyses, and infrared spectroscopy. The results reveal the amorphous character of the structure and the presence of at least four types of binding modes between the metal oxide clusters and benzene tricarboxylic acid. On the other hand, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed high thermal stability, with the material decomposing at temperatures higher than 500 °C. The combination of intense Eu<sup>3+</sup> luminescence with large thermal stability makes this material a strong candidate for application as a luminescent red marker for gunshot residue (GSR). As proof of concept, we show the feasibility of this application by performing shooting tests using our compound as a GSR marker. After the shots, the residual luminescent particles could be visualized in the triggered cartridge, inner the muzzle of the firearm, and a lower amount on the hands of the shooter, using a UV lamp (λ = 254 nm). Remarkably, our results also show that the Eu<sup>3+</sup> emission for the GSR is very similar to that observed for the original solid material. These characteristics are of huge importance since they provide a chance to use smaller amounts of the marker in the ammunition, lowering the costs of potential industrial manufacturing processes.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/4/4/43mixed-metal coordination compoundphotoluminescencesolid state NMRgun-shot-residue marker |
| spellingShingle | Ayla Roberta Borges Serra Thiago Rui Casagrande Juliana Fonseca de Lima Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira Severino Alves Júnior Marcos de Oliveira Junior Osvaldo Antonio Serra Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot Residues Sci mixed-metal coordination compound photoluminescence solid state NMR gun-shot-residue marker |
| title | Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot Residues |
| title_full | Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot Residues |
| title_fullStr | Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot Residues |
| title_full_unstemmed | Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot Residues |
| title_short | Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot Residues |
| title_sort | synthesis and structural characterization of an amorphous and photoluminescent mixed eu zr coordination compound a potential marker for gunshot residues |
| topic | mixed-metal coordination compound photoluminescence solid state NMR gun-shot-residue marker |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/4/4/43 |
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