Novel core–shell structure microspheres based on lanthanide complexes for white-light emission and fluorescence sensing

A series of new core-shell structure materials based on lanthanide complexes [H2NMe2]3[Ln(dpa)3] (Ln = Eu, Tb, Sm, Dy, Nd, and Yb; [H2NMe2](+) = dimethylamino cation; dpa = 2-dipicolinate) and silica microspheres has been prepared under solvothermal conditions. Electron microscopy reveals that the nanosized materials SiO2@Ln-dpa are spherical with a narrow size distribution and a [H2NMe2]3[Ln(L)3] coating was generated on the surface of silica microspheres successfully. The core-shell structure materials exhibit excellent optical performance. The white-light-emitting material SiO2@(Dy:Eu)-dpa has a potential application in the development of a white-light device, as a result of the fact that its CIE chromaticity coordinate is very close to that of pure white. Then, we selected SiO2@Eu-dpa as a representative sample for sensing experiments. Eventually, we found that the core-shell structure sensors are highly selective and sensitive for acetone and Cu(2+) cations. The detection of Cu(2+) in the human body is an important issue. Interestingly, the core-shell structure materials display better selectivity and higher sensitivity than the pure lanthanide complexes in sensing Cu(2+) and the value of the quenching effect coefficient has increased by more than 20%.