Designing ultra-highly efficient Sm3+ activated SrLaAlO4 orange-red emitting phosphor towards security encoding, hydro-gels, flexible displays and personal identification

[Display omitted] •A single-phase orange-red emitting SrLaAlO4:Sm3+ (1–5 mol %) nano phosphors was prepared using a simple solution combustion process.•The developd FPs can display superior contrast, high sensitivity, minimal background interference and stability.•Anti-counterfeiting labels exhibit high resolution and thermal stability.•The fabricated luminescent ink, our findings show that the fabricated luminous security ink is highly stable in various chemical environments and ambient conditions.•The flexible film exhibit great potentials in packing field and opto-electronic devices. SrLaAlO4:Sm3+ (1–5 mol %) nanophosphors (SLAO:Sm3+ NPs) has been developed. Under stimulation at 402 nm, the Sm3+ ions shows the transition of 4G5/2→ 6H7/2 enabled the phosphor to emit a powerful orange-red light at 602 nm. Based on the photoluminescence emission (PLE) profiles, the International Commission on Illumination calculated the colour coordinates (CC), correlated colour temperature (CCT) and colour purity (CP) values. Comparisons were made between the acquired CC and the normal National Television System Committee (NTSC) coordinates. Additionally, the applicability of the SLAO:2Sm3+ NPs was evaluated to visualize the latent fingerprints on smooth surfaces using the powder dusting method. The obtained latent fingerprint images exhibited good sensitivity, high contrast, and appreciable ridge details. To develop anti-counterfeiting inks that mark on multiple surfaces with high resolution without spreading and tracing, fluorescent phosphor was fabricated with the required thickening agent. The created pattern in the ink above immediately formed and lighted with bright orange and red fluorescence emission when exposed to UV light. The findings showed that the optimized NPs can generate a lot of interest for application in security encoding and personal identification.