Luminescent terbium coordination hybrid nanoparticles and their multianalyte detection of chromate, dichromate and...

Currently, there is an increasingly urgent need of high-efficient chemosensors for detecting highly toxic chromium ions (Cr³⁺ and Cr₂O₇^2-). Herein we propose an innovative lanthanide-based fluorescence sensing material, i.e., terbium coordination hybrid nanoparticles (6-MP)_0.01CF_0.004/Tb₁ that are obtained based on the coordination self-assembly strategy. Its terbium luminescence is strongly associated with the ligand-assisted terbium sensibilization energy transfer approach that is sensitive to specific inorganic stimuli. It is further revealed that (6-MP)_0.01CF_0.004/Tb₁ can be served as a real-time, selective, competitive and quantitative fluorescence chemosensor to detect Cr³⁺, Cr₂O₇^2-, and NO₂^- in aqueous solutions based on the quenched fluorescence of hybrid. Using statistical analysis methods, the hybrid (6-MP)_0.01CF_0.004/Tb₁ even can discriminate several groups of cation or anion analogues, especially Cr³⁺ and Cr₂O₇^2- that are distinguished from each other by the pH regulation. Moreover, this hybrid enables operators to monitor different contents of Cr³⁺, Cr₂O₇^2-, and NO₂^- in real water samples. This study not only develops a novel luminescent lanthanide-based hybrid but also provides a promising fluorescence sensing platform for multianalyte detection of toxic Cr³⁺, Cr₂O₇^2-, and NO₂^- in potential fields.