A simple and green strategy for preparing luminescent Tb³⁺ complex-based nanocomposite with stable luminescence in water

Graphical abstract: A water-soluble Tb³⁺ complex-based nanocomposite has been prepared through a simple and green method, showing good luminescence stability in aqueous environment and highly selective sensing ability for THF in water. - Highlights: • A new Tb(III) hybrid material with bright green luminescence was prepared through a very simple and green procedure. • The material exhibits good luminescence stability in aqueous solution. • The material can be applied for detecting low THF content (0.1–6.0 vol%) in aqueous solution. - Abstract: Luminescent lanthanide-based nanocomposites (LnNCs) with intense and stable luminescence in aqueous media are in high demand for sensing and biological applications. Herein we report a new water-soluble LnNCs that prepared through a very simple and green procedure, with bright green luminescence dominated by ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition (542 nm) of Tb³⁺, showing improved luminescence behavior compared with the complex Tb(Sal)₃·2H₂O (Sal = salicylic acid) and good luminescence stability in aqueous solution even for considerable time (3 weeks) ascribed to the protective effect of the clay substrate to the Tb³⁺ complex. Moreover, the material exhibits rapid and highly selective sensing of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and can be applied for detecting low THF content (0.1–6.0 vol%) in aqueous solution.