Synthesis and sensing application of highly luminescent and water stable polyaspartate functionalized LaF3 nanocrystals

Abstract

Via a facile one-pot strategy, polyaspartate (PASP) coated LaF₃:Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺ luminescent nanocrystals have been successfully prepared. Based on the luminescence quenching of the PASP modified LaF₃:Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺ nanocrystals by Fe³⁺, a simple and novel luminescent chemosensor for Fe³⁺ has been developed. High selectivity and sensitivity is observed over other cations, which is mainly attributed to the formation of a PASP–Fe³⁺ complex on the NP surface. The luminescence of the suspensions was gradually quenched with the addition of Fe³⁺ ion, with a linear range of 5 × 10⁻⁷ to 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹.