Graphene oxide induced multi-layered six-petal flower-shaped rare earth Tb3+ hybrid luminescent material: synthesis, characterization, luminescence and fluorescence anti-counterfeiting properties

Abstract

The graphene oxide (GO)/rare earth Tb³⁺ complex hybrid, GO-1,1′:2′,1′′-terphenyl-4,4′′-dicarboxylic acid-Tb³⁺ (GO-L-Tb), luminescent micron crystals with special multi-layered six-petal flower shape were facilely obtained by treatment of the L-Tb with graphene oxide (GO) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution using a solvothermal method. The as-prepared L-Tb and GO-L-Tb complex hybrids are characterized via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The composite shows excellent fluorescence properties and can emit bright characteristic green fluorescence of rare earth Tb³⁺ with a long fluorescence lifetime. The unique six-petal flower fractal structure, good thermostability and brilliant fluorescence properties of the GO-L-Tb complex make it a promising candidate for application in micro-scale fluorescence anti-counterfeiting.