Synthesis of lanthanum – cerium - terbium condensed phosphates and their fluorescence properties for redox environments

Abstract

Rare earth phosphates are known as a relatively stable matrix for fluorescent materials. However, uncondensed orthophosphates were mostly studied until recently. Therefore, in this work, lanthanum – cerium – terbium condensed phosphates were investigated for the green fluorescence properties and their redox responses. These fluorescence peaks became weaker by oxidation process for cerium cations, and then recovered by the reduction process. The fluorescence intensity decreased by increasing the concentration of oxidant and the time. In addition, this fluorescence intensity was recovered by using reducing agent having a corresponding concentration and by increasing the time correspondingly. These condensed phosphates have a possibility to use as a sensing material for redox environments.