An intelligent copper(II) luminescent sensor using europium narrow emissions based on titania hybrid material

•A novel inorganic–organic material was designed.•The material exhibited red emissions.•It can selectively detect copper ions efficiently.

A new kind of europium 2,6-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid complex was synthesized and immobilized in titania via modification of this network. Then a europium luminescent hybrid material was fabricated, which gave prominent red emission. More importantly, this target material exhibited highly selective and rapid quenching effect to copper ion in contrast with Ca2+, Na+, K+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ag+ and Fe3+ in pure water. The europium containing titania hybrid material could be promising for the fabrication of functional sensing devices.

Graphical abstractA novel organic–inorganic fluorescent sensor based on Eu3+ narrow emissions was designed and used to specifically detect Cu2+ in aqueous solution. The structures, thermal stability and photophysical properties have been extensively investigated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (51 K)Download as PowerPoint slide