Interfacial adsorption and stripping of ions as a reason of stimuli responsive luminescence of Tb-doped silica nanoparticles

► The luminescence of Tb-doped silica nanoparticles is quenched in diluted solutions of FeCl3. ► This quenching arises from both dynamic and static mechanisms, the latter is predominant. ► Both aggregation of nanoparticles and ion exchange are the reasons of the quenching through static mechanism. ► The stripping of FeIII ions from silica surface by complex formation with anions reestablishes emission of Tb(III). ► The “off-on” switching of luminescence enables to recognize ATP in micromolar concentrations.