Themed collection Shining a Light on the f-Block

The radiolysis behavior of a new diglycolamide for solvent extraction of actinides and lanthanides was studied. The observed degradation rate was lower than for the reference molecule and 22 degradation compounds were identified.

Combined advanced spectroscopy and solubility studies provide evidence for the formation of novel calcium-containing and hydrolyzed (Cm,Pu)(III)–EDTA complex(es).

Lanthanide-doped bismuth-based nanospheres can be rapidly synthesized within 1 minute for upconversion luminescence ratiometric temperature detection.

This study captures the transition of the coordination modes of aliphatic dicarboxylate ligands from side-on to end-on binding, which is illustrated in malonate bindings involving a combination of side-on and end-on modes.

The ‘imbalance’ of the coordination ability of the two O_amide affects the extraction performance by experimental and theoretical study.

Four IRMOFs following PSM strategy were prepared. The MOFs were characterized by different techniques and were investigated for U(VI) sorption. PSM MOFs displayed impressive fluorescent sensing and selectivity of U(VI) over competing metal ions.

The inhomogeneous interactions of M–O_amide in the L^II ligand result in differences between the metal-ion extraction performances of two isomeric ligands.

The incorporation of triply charged lanthanides in layered double hydroxides (LDHs) enables the curvature of the LDH sheets, unlocking the possibility of using a soft templating strategy to produce a class of luminescent, hierarchical LDH nanotubes.

Multispectral transparent films of upconversion nanoparticles are developed for near-infrared encoding of wearable devices including contact lenses and patch devices.

Three new thorium-based MOFs based on 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (H4TCPB) were obtained under a similar reaction system (metal salt, ligand, solvent, and acid are the same).

Four completely new NIR luminescence temperature readouts in the second and third biological windows are demonstrated with YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanoparticles.

Pure sky-blue fluorescence (FWHM: 50 nm) from lutetium-based coordination polymer with diphenyl-anthracene derivative is demonstrated for the first time.

Improving the kinetics of selective An(III) extraction from nitric acid feed solutions into an ionic liquid based solvent: combining CyMe₄BTPhen with TODGA in Aliquat-336 nitrate.

Alkyl substituted triaryl-cyclopentadienyl ligands with aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties and their applications in the syntheses of novel chloride bridged tetra-nuclear mixed potassium–dysprosium metallocenes.

Influence of the lanthanide contraction effect on the formation of a series of new MOFs and their wide colour range luminescence spectra.

A new fluorescent probe based on terbium(III)-doped nanosheets was designed for detecting low-levels of dipicolinic acid (DPA), a biomarker of bacterial spores.

For the first time, Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ were incorporated into the framework of synthetic saponite by a one-pot hydrothermal procedure, obtaining luminescent materials with interesting photophysical properties, exploited for the fluorescent sensing of the chromate anion in water.

Long lifetimes and high quantum yields are obtained in the reported complexes.

Some unexpected “structure–extraction properties” patterns were found for new family of 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-diamide derived ligands.

A multi-technique elemental and microphase analysis of altered granitic rock from the Krunkelbach Valley uranium deposit, Black Forest, Southern Germany.

A new bis-chelating scorpionate type CAPh ligand and its lanthanide complexes in solid state and solution.

Dual stimuli-responsive lanthanide-based phosphors were prepared for constructing a multilevel full color anti-counterfeiting system, augmenting the security level for information protection.

The central rare earth cerium atom and underlying apolar B–N bonds in two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride facilitate a unique arrangement of hydrogen molecules which leads to fairly strong adsorption of eight hydrogen molecules per metal atom.

Two novel {Dy₂}-based one dimensional chain compounds with similar structures have been prepared and subtle crystal field of Dy(III) ion can perturb their slow magnetic relaxation behaviors.

The single crystals of the two isostructural Tb³⁺- and Dy³⁺-based coordination polymers (HL3–Tb and HL3–Dy) were structurally characterized, and their photophysical properties were investigated, together with their corresponding solid solutions.

The favorable pH response and coordination properties of the 3-hydroxypyridyl group indicate its potential for further development as a dual responsive-reporter group for Ln(III) MRS probes.

Simple organophosphonate functionalization of sisal fibres yields materials that extract uranium from sea water with high efficiency.

Centrosymmetric hexanitratoneptunate(IV) crystallizes with anhydrous proton countercations trapped in a hydrogen bonded polymer with diamide linker molecules to give colourless crystals.

The CPL sign is controllable by varying the number of naphthalene units and peptide/Eu(III) coordination ratio.