Strong photoluminescence and sensing performance of nanosized CaLnNaWO (Ln = Sm,Eu) compounds obtained by the dry "top-down" grinding method.

Two lanthanide doped nanosystems CaLnNaWO (Ln = Eu, Sm), denoted as Eu@CWO and Sm@CWO, were prepared by a "top-down" approach in three simple steps: activation, miniaturization by high-energy milling, and further calcination. The solids were thoroughly characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Scanning-electron microscopy (SEM). Also, analyses of the structure of the compounds and the impact of milling on the crystallite shape and size were carried out through Rietveld refinements. Solid-state photoluminescence was studied in terms of excitation, emission, lifetimes (τ) and europium-quantum yields. Finally, the Eu@CWO sample was employed as a potential water-stable chemical sensor towards toxic cations, showing a quenching effect in the presence of iron ions.