A conformation-variable conjugated polyelectrolyte responding to oppositely charged biomolecules was examined as an imaging agent for the detection of latent fingerprints (LFPs). Sulfonated poly(diphenylacetylene) (SPDPA) produces high-resolution fluorescence (FL) LFP images by simple wetting of the target objects with the polymer solution without any additional treatment. SPDPA readily interacts with LFP sweat components (especially amino acids) via electrostatic interactions, leading to significantly enhanced FL images in a "turn-on" mode. The FL emission enhancement was examined in a model reaction between SPDPA and an amino acid standard. Visualization with SPDPA is effective on various surfaces, including both rough (paper) and smooth (glass and plastic) ones. Moreover, SPDPA readily interacts with extremely thin sweat LFPs, especially on smooth glass surfaces.
Keywords: conjugated polyelectrolyte; imaging probe; latent fingerprint; sweat; visualization.