PEI functionalized NaCeF:Tb/Eu for photoluminescence sensing of heavy metal ions and explosive aromatic nitro compounds.

This work reports an eco-friendly hydrothermal approach for the synthesis of hexagonal NaCeF:Tb/Eu nanophosphors. The phase, morphology and optical properties were characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy respectively. Herein, the as-synthesized nanophosphor was functionalized with amine rich polyethylenimine (PEI) resulting in development of a luminescent nanoprobe bearing dual sensing functions for hazardous nitroaromatics and heavy metal ions.