Lanthanide-centered luminescent hybrid microsphere-particles obtained by sol–gel method

Luminescent hybrid micro-particles have been prepared by traditional sol–gel method. The precursor derived from 2-amino pyridine exhibited a self-organization under the coordination to RE3+ (Eu3+, Tb3+) evaluated by SEM (micrometric scale) and X-ray diffraction studies (nanometric scale). The adapting traditional routes used in this paper affected the shape of the materials and can be taken as a new method to control the hydrolysis-polycondensation process. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), diffuse reflectance ultraviolet–visible spectra (DRUVS) and 1H NMR spectra were used to confirm the modifications. The material's phosphorescent spectra and luminescence spectra were recorded. The efficient intramolecular energy transfer process between carboxylic group and lanthanide ions took place within these molecular-based hybrids. The narrow-width green and red emissions were achieved for Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions, respectively.