Lanthanide ions (Eu3+, Tb3+, Sm3+, Dy3+) activated ZnO embedded zinc 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic metal–organic frameworks for luminescence application

Abstract

A series of hybrids based on lanthanide ions activated zinc metallic organic frameworks of 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate (ZnO@Zn(pdc)-Ln, Ln = Eu, Tb, Sm, Dy) have been synthesized by a coordination reaction under solvothermal conditions. Zinc oxide is formed in the framework of lanthanide doped zinc centered MOFs due to decomposition of zinc compounds caused by the alkaline environment and high-temperature. Furthermore, the mechanism of zinc oxide formation is discussed in our work. The structure, composition and morphology of the materials obtained are characterized by XRD, FTIR, ICP and SEM. The photophysical properties of these hybrid materials are investigated in detail which reveals that the characteristic emission line of the corresponding Ln³⁺ ion appeared under ultraviolet radiation. Besides, Eu³⁺ ions activated ZnO@Zn(pdc) features white light under ultraviolet excitation, which shows the possibility to be exploited as WLED.