Organofunctionalization of silica from rice husk ash with ESIPT dyes

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) dyes were immobilized on amorphous silica obtained from rice husk ash through surface modification methodology. The silanol groups present on the surface of silica were first functionalized with isocyanate groups to be reacted with ESIPT dyes. Scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, powder X-ray diffraction, and solid -state fluorescence emission spectroscopy analysis have been carried out to characterize the materials. The synthesized silica-based fluorescent materials were used as latent fingerprint developer powders present on glass surfaces. The results showed that latent fingerprints were revealed with high contrast under ultraviolet light illumination.