Biomolecule-assisted synthesis of rare earth hydroxycarbonates

A biomolecule-assisted synthetic route has been developed for the preparation of orthorhombic lanthanide hydroxycarbonate crystals with interesting assembly features, using various amino acids as capping ligands for the synthesis. Reaction mechanism to the materials is proposed. The biomolecule additives played an important role in modifying the microstructures, and the morphology of crystals could be spindly, spherical, and dumbbell-like. Thermal analysis indicated that the as-prepared cerium hydroxycarbonate was stable below 240 °C, and NdOHCO3 was stable below 400 °C. The CeOHCO3 sample showed intensive broad band emission centered at 370 nm, which may be used as a next-generation black-light material to control pests. Fluorescence of the materials is dependent on the structure. Therefore, simply alternating reaction parameters would vary microstructures and tune the optical properties of the materials.

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