A Eu/Gd-mixed metal-organic framework for ultrasensitive physiological temperature sensing

A stable and biocompatible MOF-based thermometer utilizing back energy transfer has been developed, which exhibits ultrasensitive temperature sensing performance in the physiological temperature range.     

Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopic properties of rare earth (RE) (RE = Eu,Tb, Dy,Sm, Tm)-doped K2GdZr(PO4)3 phosphate

The luminescent characteristics of RE (RE³⁺ = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm and Tm)-doped K₂GdZr(PO₄)₃ have been investigated. The band in the range of 130–157 nm in the VUV excitation spectra of these compounds is attributed to the host lattice or PO₄^3? group absorption and the band from 157 nm to 215 nm with the maximum at 188 nm is due to the O–Zr charge transfer transition. For Eu³⁺-doped sample, the relatively weak band of O^2?–Eu³⁺ charge transfer (CTB) at 222 nm is observed and for Tb³⁺-doped sample, the band at 223 nm is related to the 4f–5d spin-allowed transition of Tb³⁺. For Dy³⁺- and Sm³⁺-doped samples, the O^2?–Dy³⁺ and O^2?–Sm³⁺ CTBs have not been observed, probably due to the 2p electrons of oxygen tightly bound to the zirconium ion in the host lattice. In Tm³⁺-doped sample, the weak O^2?–Tm³⁺ CTB is located at 170 nm. It is observed that there is energy transfer between the host and the luminescent activators (e.g. Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Sm³⁺) except for Tm³⁺.     

A simple highly sensitive and selective turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for the recognition of Pb2+

A simple highly sensitive and selective turn-on fluorescent chemosensor L based on bis-Schiff-base for Pb²⁺ ions was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. L having high binding affinity towards Pb²⁺ ions of 2.10 × 10⁴ M^?1 selectively detects Pb²⁺ ions with almost no interference among various competitive ions by a 11-fold fluorescent enhancement in CH₃CN/H₂O (95:5, v/v) solution over a wide pH range. Moreover, sensor L displayed a lower detection limit of 3.80 × 10^?7 M, which is low enough for sensing sub-millimolar concentration of Pb²⁺ encountered practically.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of microporous lanthanide silicates: K8Ln3Si12O32NO3·H2O (Ln = Eu,Tb, Gd,Sm)

A family of microporous lanthanide silicates, K₈Ln₃Si₁₂O₃₂NO₃·H₂O (denoted LnSiO-CJ3, Ln = Eu, Tb, Gd, Sm), was synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions at 503 K. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of these compounds reveal that they are isostructural. The structure of EuSiO-CJ3 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It crystallizes in triclinic space group P-1 (No. 2) with a = 11.599(2) Å, b = 12.225(2) Å, c = 13.829(3) Å, α = 112.99(3)°, β = 92.05(3)°, γ = 90.57(3)°. The structure is based on [Si₃O₈]_n^4n? layers with 6-, 8-, 12-rings that are connected by EuO₆ octahedra to form a 3-D framework with 8-ring channels along the [001] direction. Charge neutrality is achieved by the K⁺ and NO₃^? ions located in the channels. The framework of EuSiO-CJ3 shows good thermal stability, which can be stable up to 1273 K. Ion-exchange capacity of EuSiO-CJ3 was investigated by the exchange of NO₃^? ions with halide ions (F^?, Cl^?, Br^?). The peaks in the emission spectra of LnSiO-CJ3 (Ln = Eu, Tb) belong to the characteristic transitions of Ln³⁺ (Ln = Eu, Tb) respectively. The lifetime measurements of LnSiO-CJ3 (Ln = Eu, Tb) suggest the presence of three Ln³⁺ (Ln = Eu, Tb) environments, which are consistent with the crystallographic results.     

A new promising phosphor, Na3La2(BO3)3:Ln (Ln=Eu, Tb)

We present an efficient way to search a host for ultraviolet (UV) phosphor from UV nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. With the guidance, Na₃La₂(BO₃)₃ (NLBO), as a promising NLO material with a broad transparency range and high damage threshold, was adopted as a host material for the first time. The lanthanide ions (Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺)-doped NLBO phosphors have been synthesized by solid-state reaction. Luminescent properties of the Ln-doped (Ln=Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺) sodium lanthanum borate were investigated under UV ray excitation. The emission spectrum was employed to probe the local environments of Eu³⁺ ions in NLBO crystal. For red phosphor, NLBO:Eu, the measured dominating emission peak was at 613 nm, which is attributed to ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺. The luminescence indicates that the local symmetry of Eu³⁺ in NLBO crystal lattice has no inversion center. Optimum Eu³⁺ concentration of NLBO:Eu³⁺ under UV excitation with 395 nm wavelength is about 30 mol%. The green phosphor, NLBO:Tb, showed bright green emission at 543 with 252 nm excited light. The measured concentration quenching curve demonstrated that the maximum concentration of Tb³⁺ in NLBO was about 20%. The luminescence mechanism of Ln-doped NLBO (Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺) was analyzed. The relative high quenching concentration was also discussed.     

Hybrid materials of MCM-41 functionalized by lanthanide (Tb, Eu) complexes of modified meta-methylbenzoic acid: Covalently bonded assembly and photoluminescence

Novel organic-inorganic mesoporous hybrid materials were synthesized by linking lanthanide (Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺) complexes to the mesoporous MCM-41 through the modified meta-methylbenzoic acid (MMBA-Si) using co-condensation method in the presence of the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant as template. The luminescence properties of these resulting materials (denoted as Ln-MMBA-MCM-41, Ln=Tb, Eu) were characterized in detail, and the results reveal that luminescent mesoporous materials have high surface area, uniformity in the ordered mesoporous structure. Moreover, the mesoporous material covalently bonded Tb³⁺ complex (Tb-MMBA-MCM-41) exhibits the stronger characteristic emission of Tb³⁺ and longer lifetime than Eu-MMBA-MCM-41 due to the triplet state energy of organic legend MMBA-Si matches with the emissive energy level of Tb³⁺ very well.     

Luminescence Tuning and White‐Light Emission of Co‐doped Ln–Cd–Organic Frameworks

Four new three‐dimensional isostructural lanthanide–cadmium metal–organic frameworks (Ln–Cd MOFs), [LnCd₂(imdc)₂(Ac)(H₂O)₂]?H₂O (Ln=Pr ( 1 ), Eu ( 2 ), Gd ( 3 ), and Tb ( 4 ); H₃imdc=4,5‐imidazoledicarboxylic acid; Ac=acetate), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by IR, elemental analyses, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, and X‐ray diffraction. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that two Ln^III ions are surrounded by four Cd^II ions to form a heteronuclear building block. The blocks are further linked to form 3D Ln–Cd MOFs by the bridging imdc^3? ligand. Furthermore, the left‐ and right‐handed helices array alternatively in the lattice. Eu–Cd and Tb–Cd MOFs can emit characteristic red light with the Eu^III ion and green light with the Tb^III ion, respectively, while both Gd–Cd and Pr–Cd MOFs generate blue emission when they are excited. Different concentrations of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions were co‐doped into Gd–Cd/Pr–Cd MOFs, and tunable luminescence from yellow to white was achieved. White‐light emission was obtained successfully by adjusting the excitation wavelength or the co‐doping ratio of the co‐doped Gd–Cd and Pr–Cd MOFs. These results show that the relative emission intensity of white light for Gd–Cd:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ MOFs is stronger than that of Pr–Cd:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ MOFs, which implies that the Gd complex is a better matrix than the Pr complex to obtain white‐light emission materials.     

A family of dodecanuclear Mn11Ln single-molecule magnets

A series of four isostructural dodecanuclear complexes [Mn^III₉Mn^II₂Ln^III(O)₈(OH)(piv)₁₆(NO₃)(CH₃CN)]·xCH₃CN·yC₇H₁₆ (piv = pivalate; x = ½, y = ¾, Ln = Tb (1); x = 2, y = ½, Ln = Dy (2), Ho (3), and Y (4)) has been prepared for which the structural motif described as ‘a lanthanide ion nested in a large manganese shell’ is observed. All compounds show out-of-phase signals in their ac susceptibilities, and their single-molecule magnet behaviour was confirmed by single-crystal micro-SQUID studies of 1-3 which show hysteresis loops of molecular origin at T < 1.0 K. The SMM behaviour observed in compounds 1-3 is more pronounced than that for 4, which contains the diamagnetic Y^III ion. This is principally the result of ferromagnetic coupling between the paramagnetic anisotropic Ln^III ions (Tb^III, Dy^III and Ho^III) and the manganese shell, which enhances the total spin ground state of the complexes.     

Luminescence and dielectric properties of nano-structured Eu3+:K2O–Nb2O5–SiO2 glass-ceramics

In the present study, results concerning luminescence and dielectric properties of Eu₂O₃ (0.5 wt% in excess) doped nano-crystallized KNbO₃ containing transparent glass-ceramics obtained from glass of composition 25K₂O–25Nb₂O₅–50SiO₂ (mol%) by varied heat-treatment duration at 800 °C have been analyzed and reported. The formed crystallization phase, crystallite size and morphology have been examined through XRD, FESEM, TEM and FTIRRS measurements. The observed steep increase in the dielectric constant (?) of glass-ceramics over the as-prepared glass is attributed to the formation of ferroelectric nano-crystalline KNbO₃ in glass matrix. The absorption spectra of all the samples have revealed the characteristic 4f–4f intraband absorption transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. The measured photoluminescence spectra have exhibited emission transitions ⁵D_{0, 1} → ⁷F_j (j = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) of Eu³⁺ ions. The excited level lifetimes have been determined from measured fluorescence decay curves. The rare earth ion site symmetry (nearly C_v) has been understood based on the nature of the Stark splittings of emission bands detected in both Eu³⁺: glass and Eu³⁺: glass-ceramics.     

Synthesis of New LnxBi2–xSe3 (Ln: Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Tb3+) Nanomaterials and Investigation of Their Optical Properties

New Ln_xBi_2–xSe₃ (Ln: Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺) based nanomaterials were synthesized by a co‐reduction method. Powder XRD patterns indicate that the Ln_xBi_2–xSe₃ crystals (Ln = Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, x = 0.00–0.44 and Ln = Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, x = 0.00–0.50) are isostructural with Bi₂Se₃. The cell parameter c decreases for Ln = Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺ upon increasing the dopant content (x), while a slightly increases. Changes in lattice parameters could be related to the radii of cations. SEM images show that doping of the lanthanide ions in the lattice of Bi₂Se₃ generally results in nanoflowers. For the terbium compound two kinds of morphologies (nanoflowers and nanobelts) were observed. UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy reveals mainly electronic transitions of the Ln³⁺ ions. Emission spectra show intense transitions from the excited to the ground state of Ln³⁺ and energy transfer from the Bi₂Se₃ lattice. Emission spectra of europium‐doped materials, in addition to the characteristic red emission peaks of Eu³⁺, show an intense blue emission band centered at 432 nm, originating from the 4f⁶5d¹ to 4f⁷ configuration in Eu²⁺. EPR measurements confirm the existence of Eu²⁺ in the materials. Interestingly, for all samples starting at low Ln³⁺ concentration, the emission intensity rises to a maximum at a Ln³⁺ concentration of x = 0.2 and falls again steadily to a minimum at x = 0.45.     

A fast,highly selective and sensitive dansyl-based fluorescent sensor for copper (II) ions and its imaging application in living cells

Since the copper ions (Cu²⁺) play a fatal role in many foundational physiological processes, it is important to develop a simple, highly sensitive and selective sensor for Cu²⁺ detection in living systems. Herein, an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and dansyl-based fluorescent chemosensor 1 was designed, synthesized and characterized for the sensitive and selective quantification of Cu²⁺. It exhibited remarkable fluorescence quenching upon addition of Cu²⁺ over other selected metal ions, attributed to the complex formation between 1 and Cu²⁺ with the association constant 6.7 × 10⁵ M^?1. The sensor 1 showed a fast and linear response towards Cu²⁺ in the concentration range from 0 to 12.5 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 with the detection limit of 2.5 × 10^?7 mol L^?1. This detection could be carried out in a wide pH range of 5.0–14. Furthermore, sensor 1 can be used for detecting Cu²⁺ in living cells.     

Potentiometric Study of Lanthanide Salicylaldimine Schiff Base Complexes

Formation of complexes between the lanthanide ions and N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-4-methyl-1,3-phenylenediamine ligand was studied in solution by pH potentiometry. The potentiometric titration was performed at 25.00 °C in 0.1 mol·dm^?3 NaClO₄ ionic strength and in DMSO:water (30:70 v:v) solvent mixture. N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-4-methyl-1,3-phenylenediamine ligand (H₂L) occurs in three forms: fully or partially deprotonated and unionized. Computer analysis of potentiometric data indicated that in solution the lanthanide (Ln) complexes exist as LnL₂, Ln(HL)₂ and Ln(H₂L)₂ species. This observation appears to be in contrast to the solid-state behavior of these complexes prepared in a self-assembly process and structurally defined. Stability constants for La³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, Ho³⁺ and Lu³⁺ (Ln³⁺) complexes were determined. The order of stabilities of LnL₂ species in terms of metal ions is La³⁺ > Eu³⁺ ≈ Gd³⁺ = Tb³⁺ < Ho³⁺ < Lu³⁺ with a prominent “gadolinium break”.     

Improved luminescent behavior of YVO4:Eu3+ ceramic phosphors by Li contents

Crystalline phase and surface morphology of phosphors are important factors to determine luminescent characteristics. Li-doped YVO₄:Eu³⁺ ceramic samples were prepared by a solid state reaction method. The Li⁺ concentration was varied from 1 to 3 wt% to improve crystallinity and surface morphology of ceramics. Influence of Li doping on luminescent properties of YVO₄:Eu³⁺ ceramics has been investigated. Photoluminescence spectra have been measured at room temperature using a luminescence spectrometer and excitation by a broadband incoherent ultraviolet light source with an excitation wavelength of 325 nm. The emitted radiation was dominated by a red emission peak at 620 nm radiated from the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. As Li⁺ ion content increases from 0 to 2 wt%, the photoluminescence (PL) brightness improved. The brightness of 2 wt% Li-doped YVO₄:Eu³⁺ ceramic was increased by a factor of 1.43 in comparison with that of YVO₄:Eu³⁺ ceramic. The enhanced luminescence resulted not only from the improved crystallinity but also from the enhanced surface roughness. The luminescent intensity and surface roughness exhibited similar behavior as a function of Li⁺ ion concentration.     

A benzothizole-based fluorescent probe for Hg2+ recognition utilizing ESIPT coupled AIE characteristics

A new benzothizole-based fluorescent probe 1 for Hg²⁺ recognition utilizing “ESIPT+AIE” strategy has been developed. In THF/H₂O (1:1, v/v, PBS 20 mM, pH = 8.5) mixed solution, probe 1 displays rapid fluorescence responses to Hg²⁺ ions with high selectivity and sensitivity through Hg²⁺-triggered releasing of a compound possessing “ESIPT+AIE” characteristics. Cell imaging investigations indicate that probe 1 is cell permeable with low toxicity to MCF-7 cells, and applicable to detect Hg²⁺ ions in living MCF-7 cells.     

Study of lanthanide aromatic acid complexes in silica gels by photoacoustic spectroscopy

Lanthanide complexes Ln(p-ABA)₃·H₂O (p-ABA: p-aminobenzoic acid; Ln³⁺:La³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Er³⁺) have been incorporated into silica gels via a sol–gel method. Upon heat treatment at 120 °C, photoacoustic (PA) intensity of the ligand increases for Tb³⁺, La³⁺ and Er³⁺ complexes in silica gels, respectively, while this difference cannot be observed for the samples without heat treatment. Different PA intensities of the samples are interpreted by comparison with their luminescence spectra. The nephelauxetic parameters and PA branching vectors of Er³⁺ complex in silica gel have been calculated. Spectral results indicate that p-ABA does not coordinate with lanthanide ions in silica matrix without a suitable heat treatment. For the co-doped samples, it is shown that the emissions of Tb³⁺ are enhanced with addition of La(p-ABA)₃·H₂O and remarkably quenched with the addition of Er(p-ABA)₃·H₂O. The possible mechanisms for these phenomena are proposed.     

Molecular design of luminescent organic-inorganic hybrid materials activated by europium (III) ions

Luminescent hybrid materials consisting in rare-earth (Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺) organic complexes covalently attached to a silica-based network have been obtained by a sol–gel process. Four dicarboxylic acids with different aromatic subunits (dipicolinic acid, 4-phenyl-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 4-(phenylethynyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and 2,6-Bis(3-carboxy-1-pyrazolyl)pyridine) have been chosen as ligands for Ln³⁺ ions. They were grafted to 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to give organically modified alkoxysilanes that were used as molecular precursors for the preparation of hybrid materials. Ln³⁺ first coordination sphere, composition of the siloxane matrix and connection between the organic and inorganic parts have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, by ¹³C²⁹Si solid-state NMR as well as by elemental analyses. UV excitation in the organic component resulted in strong emission from Eu³⁺ ions due to an efficient ligand-to-metal energy transfer. As compared to reference organic molecules, hybrid samples exhibited similar emission properties under UV excitation in addition to mainly unchanged excited states lifetimes. However, by direct excitation of the Eu³⁺-⁵D₀ energy level, the presence of two different site distributions were evidenced in the four hybrid compounds. Emission features related to each of these site distributions and their respective attribution were investigated. Variations in the relative emission intensities were observed according to the nature of the organic chromophore. These variations were discussed in relation to the ATE (Absorption-Transfer-Emission) mechanism and to the relative energy positions of the ligand and the rare-earth ions respectively.     

Luminescent Hybrid Materials Based on Laponite Clay

The spectroscopic behavior of ionic Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ complexes of an aromatic carboxyl‐functionalized organic salt as well as those of the hybrid materials derived from adsorption of the ionic complexes on Laponite clay are reported. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns suggest that the complexes are mainly adsorbed on the outer surfaces of the Laponite disks rather than intercalated within the interlayer spaces. Photophysical data showed that the energy‐transfer efficiency from the ligand to Eu³⁺ ions in the hybrid material is increased remarkably with respect to the corresponding ionic complex. The hybrid material containing the Eu³⁺ complex shows bright red emission from the prominent ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions, and that containing the Tb³⁺ complex exhibits bright green emission due to the dominant ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ ions.     

Au@Y2O3:Eu3+ rare earth oxide hollow sub-microspheres with encapsulated gold nanoparticles and their optical properties

A facile method to synthesize novel Au@Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ hollow sub-microspheres encapsulated with moveable gold nanoparticle core and Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ as shell via two-step coating processes and a succeeding calcination process has been developed. Silica coating on citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles with a size of 25 nm can be obtained through a slightly modified Stöber process. Gold particles coated with double shell silica and Eu doped Y(OH)₃ can be obtained by coating on the Au@SiO₂ spheres through simply adding Y(NO₃)₃, Eu(NO₃)₃ and an appropriate quantity of NH₃·H₂O. Au@Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ hollow sub-microspheres with moveable individual Au nanoparticle as core can be obtained after calcination of Au@Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ particles at 600 °C for 2 h. These new core–shell structures with encapsulated gold nanoparticles have combined optical properties of both the Au nanoparticles and the Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor materials which might have potential applications.     

Luminescent PMMA Films and PMMA@SiO2 Nanoparticles with Embedded Ln3+ Complexes for Highly Sensitive Optical Thermometers in the Physiological Temperature Range**

In recent years, luminescent materials doped with Ln³⁺ ions have attracted much attention for their application as optical thermometers based on both downshifting and upconversion processes. This study presents research done on the development of highly sensitive optical thermometers in the physiological temperature range based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films doped with two series of visible Ln³⁺ complexes (Ln³⁺=Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Sm³⁺) and SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) coated with these PMMA films. The best performing PMMA film doped with Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ complexes was the PMMA[TbEuL₁tppo]1 film (L₁=4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butadionate; tppo=triphenylphosphine oxide), which showed good temperature sensing of S_r=4.21 % K⁻¹ at 313 K, whereas for the PMMA films doped with Tb³⁺ and Sm³⁺ complexes the best performing was the PMMA[TbSmL₂tppo]3 film (L₂=4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-butadionate), with S_r=3.64 % K⁻¹ at 313 K. Additionally, SiO₂ NPs coated with the best performing films from each of the series of PMMA films (Tb–Eu and Tb–Sm) and their temperature-sensing properties were studied in water, showing excellent performance in the physiological temperature range (PMMA[TbEuL₁tppo]1@SiO₂: S_r=3.84 % °C at 20 °C; PMMA[TbSmL₂tppo]3@SiO₂: S_r=3.27 % °C at 20 °C) and the toxicity of these nanoparticles on human cells was studied, showing that they were nontoxic.     

Hydrothermal Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescent Properties of Three Organic‐Lanthanide Complexes with 3‐Hydroxycinnamic Acid

Three new homodinuclear lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln₂(L)₆(2,2′‐bipy)₂] [Ln = Tb^III ( 1 ), Sm^III ( 2 ), Eu^III ( 3 ); HL = 3‐hydroxycinnamic acid (3‐HCA); 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine] were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. Complexes 1 – 3 crystallize in triclinic system, space group P$\bar{1}$ . In all complexes the lanthanide ions are nine‐coordinate by two nitrogen atoms from the 2,2′‐bipy ligand and seven oxygen atoms from one chelating L ligands and four bridging L ligands, forming distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic arrangements. The lanthanide(III) ions are intramolecularly bridged by eight carboxylate oxygen atoms forming dimeric complexes with Ln ··· Ln distances of 3.92747(15), 3.9664(6), and 3.9415(4) Å for complexes 1 – 3 , respectively. The luminescent properties in the solid state of HL ligand and Eu^III complex are also discussed.