Novel rare-earth(III)-based water soluble emitters for Fe(III) detection

In this paper, we report the synthesis, characterization, and Fe(III)-sensing properties of two easily synthesized rare-earth(III)-based emitters, Na3Eu(PDA)3 and Na3Tb(PDA)3. Results suggest that the two emitters exhibit high sensitivity and linear spectral response towards Fe(III) (Stern–Volmer constant = 2.21 × 104 L/mol, linearity = 0.988). In addition, the two emitters are oxygen- and temperature-insensitive, making themselves promising candidates to be utilized in actual applications.