Conversion of Lewis acid-base interaction into readable emission outputs by novel terbium hybrid nanosphere

• A novel organic–inorganic hybrid material was assembled.
• It exhibits green emissions and recognizes fluoride in water.
• Boron–fluoride interaction plays an important role in the sensing process.

A novel luminescent organic-inorganic hybrid terbium material containing a boronic acid receptor site has been designed and synthesized. Ultra-violet excitation of the material results in green emission from the terbium core. Homogenous spherical nanoparticles with the average diameter of 60 nm were achieved by embedding the terbium complex onto a silica surface. The boron–fluoride interactions of the new material in an aqueous environment provide for a new on-off luminescence sensor for fluoride ions in the field of lanthanide based multifunctional materials.