Lanthanide complex inside–outside double functionalized zeolite A hybrid materials for luminescence sensing

Abstract

In this paper, the so-called inside–outside double functionalization path is used to assemble the hybrid materials based on the zeolite A (ZA) host. Lanthanide complexes (Ln = Eu, Nd, Yb) with beta-diketones (1-(2-naphthoyl)-3,3,3-trifluoroacetonate (NTA), 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione (DBM)) are introduced into ZA through ion exchange/vapour diffusion (inside) and covalent grafting (outside), respectively. These hybrids exhibit different luminescence in visible (for Eu³⁺) and near infrared (for Nd³⁺, Yb³⁺) regions by means of the selective excitation of different lanthanide luminescent centres. Furthermore, a luminescent thin film is prepared based on the [DBM-Yb-ZA]–NTASi-Eu hybrid system. Besides, its luminescence sensing is investigated and it is found that [DBM-Yb-ZA]–NTASi-Eu has a selective fluorescence quenching effect for metal ions, especially Fe³⁺ shows the highest selectivity. These results can be expected to have potential application in practical fields of optical devices or sensors.