Covalently bonded Ln(III) hybrid materials showing dual properties of visible to near infrared photoluminescence and gas adsorption

Tripodal ligand NTB (N-substituted tris(benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine) was functionalized with 3-(animopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTEOS) to give a new bifunctional ligand Si-CNTB. The coordination of N atoms on Si-CNTB with Ln(III) ions afforded efficient luminescent centers and the co-hydrolyzation of silane groups with TEOS (tetraethoxysilane) produced covalently linked hybrid particles in sub-micron scale. Visible to near infrared photoluminescence and N2 adsorption properties were observed in this new type of inorganic–organic hybrid materials.