Two metal–organic zeolites for highly sensitive and selective sensing of Tb3+

Abstract

Lanthanides have been extensively used as important luminescent materials because of their excellent optical properties. However, the luminescence intensities of Ln³⁺ ions from direct excitation are often hindered due to the small absorption coefficient and low luminous efficiency. The “antenna” effect is an effective strategy for sensitizing the luminescence of Ln³⁺ ions. In this work, two metal–organic zeolites (HNU-25 and HNU-26) were synthesized through a mixed ligand strategy. Both of them can serve as efficient sensors for the Tb³⁺ ion by sensitizing the characteristic luminescence of the Tb³⁺ ion. The different responses of sensitization depend on the intramolecular energy transfer between the frameworks and the Ln³⁺ ions. These effective behaviors provide an insight into the design and synthesis of chemical sensors for Ln³⁺ ions.