Lanthanide mesoporous SBA-15 hybrids through functionalized 6-hydroxybenz[de]anthracen-7-one linkage: UV–visible light sensitisation and visible-NIR luminescence

A series of new visible and near-infrared (NIR) luminescent lanthanide-hydroxybenz[de]anthracen derivatives (Ln(HBAN)3(H2O)2(NO3)3, Ln(HBAN)3phen(NO3)3) were synthesized (HBAN-6-hydroxybenz[de]anthracen-7-one, Ln = Eu, Yb, Nd). Further, chemically bonded lanthanide hybrids of functionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15) are prepared using HBAN-functionalized alkoxysilane (HBAN-Si) as linker, which is named as Ln(HBAN-SBA-15)3(NO3)3, Ln(HBAN-SBA-15)3phen(NO3)3 (Ln = Eu, Yb, Nd), respectively. The physical characterization and especially the photoluminescence properties for these hybrids are performed. SAXRD and BET of them revealed that all of these hybrid materials have uniformity in the mesostructure. Worth noting here is that the excitation spectra of these hybrid materials are extended to visible light region (439–535 nm). Upon ligand-mediated excitation with the ultraviolet and visible light, the visible luminescence for europium hybrids and NIR luminescence for Yb3+ and Nd3+ hybrids are obtained.

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► We use the hydroxybenz[de]anthracen as functional molecule derivative as linkage.
► We use organically modified SBA-16 as mesoporous host.
► Visible light conversion for Eu hybrids is realized.
► Visible excitation and NIR emission for Nd or Yb hybrids are realized.