There is an immense literature on detection of latent fingerprints (LFPs) with fluorescent nanomaterials because fluorescence is one of the most sensitive detection methods. Although many fluorescent probes have been developed for latent fingerprint detection, many challenges remain, including the low selectivity, complicated processing, high background, and toxicity of nanoparticles used to visualize LFPs. In this study, we demonstrate biocompatible, efficient, and low background LFP detection with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) coated fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs). PVP-coated FND (FND@PVP) is biocompatible at the cellular level. They neither inhibit cellar proliferation nor induce cell death via apoptosis or other cell killing pathways. Moreover, they do not elicit an immune response in cells. PVP coating enhances the physical adhesion of FND to diverse substrates and in particular results in efficient binding of FND@PVP to fingerprint ridges due to the intrinsic amphiphilicity of PVP. Clear, well-defined ridge structures with first, second, and third-level of LFP details are revealed within minutes by FND@PVP. The combination of this binding specificity and the remarkable optical properties of FND@PVP permits the detection of LPFs with high contrast, efficiency, selectivity, sensitivity, and reduced background interference. Our results demonstrate that background-free imaging via multicolor emission and dual-modal imaging of FND@PVP nanoparticles have great potential for high-resolution imaging of LFPs.
Keywords: background-free imaging; biocompatibility; fluorescent nanodiamonds; latent fingerprint; poly(vinylpyrrolidone).