Visualizing temperature inhomogeneity using thermo-responsive smart materials.

Despite the substantial progress made, the responsiveness of thermo-responsive materials upon various thermal fields is still restricted to monochromatic visualization with single-wavelength light emission. This stems from a poor understanding of the photophysical processes within the materials and the unvarying optical performance of luminescent centers' response to various ambient temperatures. Conventional techniques to assess the inhomogeneities of thermal fields can be time-consuming, require specialized equipment and suffer from inaccuracy due to the inevitable interference from background signals, especially at high temperature. To this end, we overcome these limitations for the first time, to flexibly visualize temperature inhomogeneities by developing a thermochromic smart material, SrGa12-xAlxO19:Dy3+. Two distinct modes of thermochromic properties (steady-state temperature-dependent luminescence and thermally stimulated luminescence) are investigated. It is revealed that the abundant colors (from yellow, green to red) and amazing color-changing features are due to the superior optical integration of the host (SrGa12-xAlxO19) and dopant (Dy3+) emissions under specific thermal stimulations. We suggest that this thermo-responsive smart material can be used to realize highly efficient and simple visualization of invisible thermal distribution in industry and beyond.

Lanthanide-grafted hollow bipyridine-based periodic mesoporous organosilicas as chemical sensors.

We have synthesized a co-condensed hollow ethane-bipyridine periodic mesoporous organosilica (HEt-bpy-PMO) as a host material to anchor lanthanides for the purpose of developing a multifunctional chemical sensor. The host material was grafted with lanthanide chloride salts or complexes. The luminescence properties of the developed series of hybrid materials were studied in detail in the solid-state and after dispersing in water. The Eu3+ or Tb3+ singly incorporated materials were investigated for their use as ion sensors, showing ions selectivity towards Cu2+, Co2+ and Fe3+. Additionally, the Eu3+ or Tb3+ incorporated materials showed obvious luminescence quenching behavior towards acetone compared to other organic solvents, indicating excellent acetone sensing selectivity.

Deformation-induced phosphorescence shift in a 2D elastically flexible organic single crystal: role of chalcogen-centered weak interactions.

Mechanically responsive organic luminescent crystals are one of the promising choices of materials for flexible photonic devices. However, the change in phosphorescence emission as a function of the flexibility of a crystal has never been reported. Our current findings demonstrate two-dimensional (2D) and one-dimensional (1D) macroscopic elastic deformability, under mechanical stress, in elastically flexible single crystals of dibenzothiophene, and its brominated derivative, respectively. Unlike the presence of dual fluorescence (FL) and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in dibenzothiophene single crystals, the derivative was found to show only RTP. Interestingly, upon elastic deformation, single crystals of the dual emissive dibenzothiophene show a noticeable blue shift (∼20 nm) of RTP emission when compared to their pristine crystals (straight and naturally bent). However, their FL peaks remain nearly unchanged irrespective of the crystal deformation. A hierarchy of structure-elastic functionality to RTP modulation has been quantitatively mapped by rationalizing the role of chalcogen-involved weak interactions.

Photophysical and Primary Self-Referencing Thermometric Properties of Europium Hydrogen-Bonded Triazine Frameworks.

Lanthanide hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (LnHOFs) are recently emerging as a novel versatile class of multicomponent luminescent materials with promising potential applications in optics and photonics. Trivalent europium (Eu3+) incorporated polymeric hydrogen-bonded triazine frameworks (PHTF:Eu) have been successfully obtained via a facile and low-cost thermal pyrolysis route. The PHTF:Eu material shows a porous frame structure principally composed of isocyanuric acid and ammelide as a minor constituent. Intense red luminescence with high colour-purity from Eu3+ is obtained by exciting over a broad absorption band peaked at 300 nm either at room or low temperature. The triazine-based host works as excellent optical antenna towards Eu3+, yielding ~42% sensitization efficiency (ηsens) and an intrinsic quantum yield of Eu3+ emission (ΦEu) as high as ~46%. Temperature-dependent emission studies show that PHTF:Eu displays relatively high optical stability at elevated temperatures in comparison to traditional inorganic phosphors. The retrieved activation energy of 89 meV indicates that thermal quenching mechanisms are attributed to the intrinsic energy level structure of the metal-triazine assembly, possibly via a thermally activated back transfer to ligand triplet or CT states. Finally, by using an innovative approach based on excitation spectra, we demonstrate that PHTF:Eu can work as a universal primary self-referencing thermometer based on a single-emitting center with excellent relative sensitivity in the cryogenic temperature range.

Chemical sensors based on periodic mesoporous organosilica @NaYF4:Ln3+ nanocomposites.

Here, three unique organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposite materials prepared by combining NaYF4:Yb3+,Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Er3+, Tm3+, Ho3+) and periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) are proposed for both metal ion sensing and solvent sensing. The luminescence properties of the developed hybrid materials, PMO@NaYF4:Yb3+,Ln3+, were studied in detail in the solid state and after dispersing in water. It is found that PMO@NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ showed selective "turn on" luminescence for Hg2+ with the detection limit of 24.4 µM in an aqueous solution. Additionally, the above three materials showed different luminescence emission responses towards water and organic solvents. It is worth noting that all three PMO@NaYF4:Yb3+,Ln3+ materials showed "turn on" luminescence towards alcohols. PMO@NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ and PMO@NaYF4:Yb3+,Ho3+ were selected and further developed into sensitive sensors for the detection of water in alcohols by taking advantage of their quenching behavior in water. The detection limit for sensing of water was determined to be 0.21%, 0.18% and 0.29%, corresponding to isopropanol (PMO@NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+), n-butanol (PMO@NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+) and ethanol (PMO@NaYF4:Yb3+,Ho3+), respectively. The above results illustrate the potential of these hybrid materials for applications in environmental fields as well as in chemical industries.

New Ln-MOFs based on mixed organic ligands: synthesis, structure and efficient luminescence sensing of the Hg2+ ions in aqueous solutions.

In view of Hg2+ ion sensing by luminescence, a series of new, phenanthroline-decorated 3D lanthanide metal organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) valorising an original combination of four different lanthanides and two organic ligands, i.e. thiobis(4-methylene-benzoic acid) (H2tmba) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), have been successfully synthesized, namely {[Ln4(tmba)6(phen)4]·m(H2O)(phen)}n [Ln = Ce, m = 3 (1); Pr, m = 1 (2); Eu, m = 3 (3); and Tb, m = 3 (4)]. Compounds 1-4 were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and powder X-ray diffraction. The luminescence properties of complexes 3 and 4 were thoroughly investigated. It is herein proved that compound 3 sensitively and selectively acts as an excellent luminescent probe for the detection of Hg2+ ions in waters, with a detection limit of 1.00 µM. As additional assets, 3 displays superb stability over a wide pH range (3-12) of the aqueous media, as well as convenient recycling after completion of the detection experiments. The rationale for the observed luminescence quenching effect of mercury might be a strong interaction arising between Hg2+ ions and the carboxylate oxygen atoms of the tmba2- ligand. The results open new perspectives for applications in environmental remediation.

Chemical sensors based on a Eu(iii)-centered periodic mesoporous organosilica hybrid material using picolinic acid as an efficient secondary ligand.

Through a series of post synthetic modification methods applied to the 100% trans ethenylene-bridged Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (ePMO), the lanthanide-functionalized hybrid nanomaterial ePMO@Eu_PA (PA = picolinic acid) has been prepared. The pristine and lanthanide-grafted ePMO materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, DRIFTs, TGA, N2 sorption, SEM and TEM. The selected PA ligand could effectively sensitize the Eu3+ ion, leading to the characteristic luminescence of Eu3+ in ePMO@Eu_PA. The luminescence properties of the ePMO@Eu_PA were studied in detail in the solid state and after dispersing in water. The material was investigated for the use as ion sensor and showed a selective monitoring of Fe3+, Co2+ and Cu2+ ions with luminescence quenching. In addition, the material showed a linear relationship between the luminescence intensity and the pH value in the pH range from 7.7 to 10.2. These findings demonstrate that ePMO@Eu_PA possesses potential practical applications in ion sensing as well as in pH sensing.

Switching on near-infrared light in lanthanide-doped CsPbCl3 perovskite nanocrystals.

The accessible emission spectral range of lead halide perovskite (LHP) CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals (NCs) has remained so far limited to wavelengths below 1 µm, corresponding to the emission line of Yb3+, whereas the direct sensitization of other near-infrared (NIR) emitting lanthanide ions is unviable. Herein, we present a general strategy to enable intense NIR emission from Er3+ at ∼1.5 µm, Ho3+ at ∼1.0 µm and Nd3+ at ∼1.06 µm through a Mn2+-mediated energy-transfer pathway. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence studies show that energy-transfer efficiencies of about 39%, 35% and 70% from Mn2+ to Er3+, Ho3+ and Nd3+ are obtained, leading to photoluminescence quantum yields of ∼0.8%, ∼0.7% and ∼3%, respectively. This work provides guidance on constructing energy-transfer pathways in semiconductors and opens new perspectives for the development of lanthanide-functionalized LHPs as promising materials for optoelectronic devices operating in the NIR region.

A Visible-Light-Harvesting Covalent Organic Framework Bearing Single Nickel Sites as a Highly Efficient Sulfur-Carbon Cross-Coupling Dual Catalyst.

Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) have recently emerged as light-harvesting devices, as well as elegant heterogeneous catalysts. The combination of these two properties into a dual catalyst has not yet been explored. We report a new photosensitive triazine-based COF, decorated with single Ni sites to form a dual catalyst. This crystalline and highly porous catalyst shows excellent catalytic performance in the visible-light-driven catalytic sulfur-carbon cross-coupling reaction. Incorporation of single transition metal sites in a photosensitive COF scaffold with two-component synergistic catalyst in organic transformation is demonstrated for the first time.

Rational design of lanthanide nano periodic mesoporous organosilicas (Ln-nano-PMOs) for near-infrared emission.

We present three Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (PMO) materials: a PMO material functionalized with pyridine dicarboxamide (DPA-PMO) and two amine functionalized PMO materials (Am-PMO and Am-ePMO). The pyridine dicarboxamide ligands in the DPA-PMO material provide the tethering sites for Ln3+-coordination. A Schiff base reaction was carried out on the amine functionalized PMOs to introduce similar lanthanide coordination sites. The Nd and Yb modified nano-PMOs are evaluated as near-infrared (NIR) emitting luminescent materials. The DPA-PMO and Am-ePMO materials can act as good platforms for NIR luminescence. A significant enhancement in the decay time can be observed upon grafting an Yb(hfa)3 complex to the PMO materials instead of YbCl3. All of the DPA-PMO@Ln(hfa)3 and Am-ePMO@Ln(hfa)3 materials show characteristic NIR emission performance both in the solid state and in aqueous suspension.

Luminescent PMMA Films and PMMA@SiO2 Nanoparticles with Embedded Ln3+ Complexes for Highly Sensitive Optical Thermometers in the Physiological Temperature Range*.

In recent years, luminescent materials doped with Ln3+ ions have attracted much attention for their application as optical thermometers based on both downshifting and upconversion processes. This study presents research done on the development of highly sensitive optical thermometers in the physiological temperature range based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films doped with two series of visible Ln3+ complexes (Ln3+ =Tb3+ , Eu3+ , and Sm3+ ) and SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) coated with these PMMA films. The best performing PMMA film doped with Tb3+ and Eu3+ complexes was the PMMA[TbEuL1 tppo]1 film (L1 =4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butadionate; tppo=triphenylphosphine oxide), which showed good temperature sensing of Sr =4.21 % K-1 at 313 K, whereas for the PMMA films doped with Tb3+ and Sm3+ complexes the best performing was the PMMA[TbSmL2 tppo]3 film (L2 =4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-butadionate), with Sr =3.64 % K-1 at 313 K. Additionally, SiO2 NPs coated with the best performing films from each of the series of PMMA films (Tb-Eu and Tb-Sm) and their temperature-sensing properties were studied in water, showing excellent performance in the physiological temperature range (PMMA[TbEuL1 tppo]1@SiO2 : Sr =3.84 % °C at 20 °C; PMMA[TbSmL2 tppo]3@SiO2 : Sr =3.27 % °C at 20 °C) and the toxicity of these nanoparticles on human cells was studied, showing that they were nontoxic.

DNA Intercalating Near-Infrared Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes Containing Dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) Ligands: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Stability, Luminescence Properties and CT-DNA Interaction.

In order to create near-infrared (NIR) luminescent lanthanide complexes suitable for DNA-interaction, novel lanthanide dppz complexes with general formula [Ln(NO3)3(dppz)2] (Ln = Nd3+, Er3+ and Yb3+; dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) were synthesized, characterized and their luminescence properties were investigated. In addition, analogous compounds with other lanthanide ions (Ln = Ce3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Tm3+, Lu3+) were prepared. All complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the complexes (Ln = La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Eu3+, Er3+, Yb3+, Lu3+) showed that the lanthanide's first coordination sphere can be described as a bicapped dodecahedron, made up of two bidentate dppz ligands and three bidentate-coordinating nitrate anions. Efficient energy transfer was observed from the dppz ligand to the lanthanide ion (Nd3+, Er3+ and Yb3+), while relatively high luminescence lifetimes were detected for these complexes. In their excitation spectra, the maximum of the strong broad band is located at around 385 nm and this wavelength was further used for excitation of the chosen complexes. In their emission spectra, the following characteristic NIR emission peaks were observed: for a) Nd3+: 4F3/2 → 4I9/2 (870.8 nm), 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 (1052.7 nm) and 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 (1334.5 nm); b) Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (1529.0 nm) c) Yb3+: 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 (977.6 nm). While its low triplet energy level is ideally suited for efficient sensitization of Nd3+ and Er3+, the dppz ligand is considered not favorable as a sensitizer for most of the visible emitting lanthanide ions, due to its low-lying triplet level, which is too low for the accepting levels of most visible emitting lanthanides. Furthermore, the DNA intercalation ability of the [Nd(NO3)3(dppz)2] complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was confirmed using fluorescence spectroscopy.

Antitumor activity of organoruthenium complexes with chelate aromatic ligands, derived from 1,10-phenantroline: Synthesis and biological activity.

The monocationic chloro complexes containing chelating N∩N ligands: [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(L1-4)Cl]+ (1-4), where L1 = 4-methyl-1,10-phenantroline, L2 = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, L3 = 11-chloro-dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, L4 = 11-nitro-dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine; p-cymene = 1-methyl-4-isopropylbenzene) have been prepared and characterized as the hexafluorophosphate salts. The biological activity of 1-4 has been investigated in selected 2D monolayer cell cultures (A549, PANC-1, MDA-MB-231, MRC-5). All investigated ruthenium complexes showed similar or even better cytotoxicity to cisplatin. However, there was no significant reduction in growth of PANC-1 cells in a 3D cell culture of multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) after treatment with 2-4, while the cisplatin treatment induced retardation in MCTS growth. Flow cytometry analysis of the cell cycle of PANC-1 cells shows that 3 caused changes of cell cycle phase distribution characterized by slight accumulation of cells in the G2-M phase. Absence of the Sub-G1 phase in the cell cycle of the treated cells indicated that there was no fragmentation of DNA for the analyzed time intervals (48 and 72 h treatment). Fluorescent microscopy, after acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, revealed that the investigated ruthenium complexes induced some characteristics of apoptotic morphology (shrinking and condensation of chromatin) with notably preserved integrity of the plasma membrane. Investigation of cellular uptake and DNA - fraction accumulation performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in PANC-1 cells with equimolar concentrations (5 µM) of 2-4 and cisplatin showed more efficient cellular uptake and DNA - fraction accumulation of complex 3 compared to complexes 2 and 4.

Vibrational Quenching in Near-Infrared Emitting Lanthanide Complexes: A Quantitative Experimental Study and Novel Insights.

Two series of novel NIR-emissive complexes of Nd3+ , Sm3+ , Er3+ and Yb3+ with two different ß-diketonate ligands (L1 =4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butadione and L2 =4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-butadione) are reported. The neutral triphenylphosphine oxide (tppo) ligand was used to replace coordinated water molecules in the first coordination sphere of the as-obtained [Ln(L1(2) )3 (H2 O)2 ] complexes to afford water-free [Ln(L1(2) )3 (tppo)2 ] molecular species. Upon replacement of water molecules by tppo units, the NIR emission lifetimes of the Nd3+ , Er3+ and Sm3+ complexes increase by about one order of magnitude up to values of ≈9, 8 and 113 ms while Yb3+ complexes reach intrinsic quantum yields as high as to ΦYb =6.5 %., which are remarkably high for fully hydrogenated complexes. Vibrational quenching by CH and OH oscillators has been quantitatively assessed by implementing the Förster's model of resonance energy transfer on the basis of experimental data. This study demonstrates that highly efficient NIR-emitting lanthanide complexes can be obtained with facile, cheap and accessible syntheses through a rational design.

Insight into emission-tuning and luminescence thermal quenching investigations in NaLa1-xGdxCa4W2O12:Mn4+ phosphors via the ionic couple substitution of Na+ + Ln3+ (Ln = La, Gd) for 2Ca2+ in Ca6W2O12:Mn4+ for plant-cultivation LED applications.

In this work, a series of novel NaLa1-xGdxCa4W2O12:Mn4+ (NL1-xGxCWO:Mn4+, x = 0-1) phosphors were synthesized using a high-temperature solid-state reaction approach. Unexpected intense red-far-red emissions were clearly observed after the ionic couple substitution of 2Ca2+ by Na+ + Ln3+ (Ln = La, Gd) in negligible-luminescence Ca6W2O12:Mn4+ upon ultraviolet (UV) excitation. Moreover, a maximal emission-tuning of Δλ = 28 nm (Δν = 582 cm-1) can be found by changing x from 0 to 1, which is ascribed to the different crystal field and covalence among them. In addition, the luminescence thermal quenching behaviors and thermal quenching mechanisms were investigated in detail in representative NLCWO:0.01Mn4+ and NGCWO:0.01Mn4+ phosphors. The results were used to initiate an ionic couple substitution strategy to enrich novel oxide hosts for Mn4+ luminescence and select an appropriate host with better thermal stability for plant-cultivation LED applications.

Realizing a novel dazzling far-red-emitting phosphor NaLaCaTeO6:Mn4+ with high quantum yield and luminescence thermal stability via the ionic couple substitution of Na+ + La3+ for 2Ca2+ in Ca3TeO6:Mn4+ for indoor plant cultivation LEDs.

A novel dazzling far-red-emitting phosphor NaLaCaTeO6:Mn4+ (NLCTO:Mn4+) with superior photoluminescence properties was found via an ionic couple substitution strategy of Na+ + La3+ for 2Ca2+ in non-luminous Ca3TeO6:Mn4+ for the first time, which is originated from the significant distortion of TeO6 octahedra. The results indicate that the ionic couple substitution strategy is a feasible guide to explore novel Mn4+-involved oxide phosphors for potential application in plant cultivation LEDs.

Triggering White-Light Emission in a 2D Imine Covalent Organic Framework Through Lanthanide Augmentation.

Recently, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as an interesting class of porous materials, featuring tunable porosity and fluorescence properties based on reticular construction principles. Some COFs display highly emissive monocolored luminescence, but attaining white-light emission from COFs is difficult as it must account for a wide wavelength range. White-light emission is highly desired for solid-state lighting applications, and obtaining it usually demands the combination of red-, green-, and blue-light components. Hence, to achieve the targeted white-light emission, we report for the first time grafting of lanthanides (Eu3+/Tb3+) on a two-dimensional imine COF (TTA-DFP-COF). We studied the luminescence properties of the hybrid materials prepared by anchoring Eu3+ (red light) and Tb3+ (green light) ß-diketonate complexes onto the TTA-DFP-COF. Reticular construction is exploited to design strong coordination of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions into nitrogen-rich pockets of the imine COF. Mixed Eu3+/Tb3+ materials are then prepared to incorporate red and green components along with the inherent blue light from the organic moieties of the COF to produce white-light emission. We show that COFs have the potential for hosting Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes, which can be tuned to obtain desired excitations for applications in the field of optoelectronics, microscopy, optical sensing, and bioassay.

Holmium, thulium and lutetium-octamolybdate [Mo8O28]8- 1D chains: luminescence investigation of europium doped lutetium-octamolybdate.

In this work we report a novel lanthanide octamolybdate 1D chain type of structure formed with holmium, thulium and lutetium. This is a rare case of compounds built out of [Mo8O28]8- units. These compounds were prepared in a mild reaction synthesis starting from the commonly used heptamolybdate polyoxometalate (POM) [(NH4)6[Mo7O24]. Interestingly, in our previous study we have employed a very similar synthesis route for lanthanides with a larger ionic radius and obtained heptamolybdate clusters. For the lanthanides with a smaller ionic radius (Ho3+, Tm3+ and Lu3+) no crystals could be obtained under those conditions. Only when doubling the amount of the lanthanide salt, single crystals suitable for measurements were obtained. These crystals revealed yet a very different structure from those previously observed. Lanthanide octamolybdate 1D chains were formed. Doubling the amount of the salt for other lanthanide ions still yielded heptamolybdate compounds previously reported by us. The lutetium octamolybdate compound was doped with 1-7.5% of Eu3+ ions yielding emission colors ranging from blue to strong red. Additionally in these materials the excitation wavelength was varied, and it was observed that the materials emission color was excitation-wavelength dependent.

Unveiling the nonlinear optical response of Trictenotoma childreni longhorn beetle.

The wings of some insect species are known to fluoresce under illumination by ultraviolet light. Their fluorescence properties are however, not comprehensively documented. In this article, the optical properties of one specific insect, the Trictenotoma childreni yellow longhorn beetle, were investigated using both linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) methods, including one- and two-photon fluorescence and second harmonic generation (SHG). These three distinct optical signals discovered in this beetle are attributed to the presence of fluorophores embedded within the scales covering their elytra. Experimental evidence collected in this study indicates that the fluorophores are non-centrosymmetric, a fundamental requirement for SHG. This study is the first reported optical behavior of this type in insects. We described how NLO techniques can complement other more convenient approaches to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of insect scales and integument properties.

Eu3+, Tb3+- and Er3+, Yb3+-Doped α-MoO3 Nanosheets for Optical Luminescent Thermometry.

Here we report a novel synthesis approach for the preparation of α-MoO3:Ln3+ materials employing a two-step synthesis. Additionally, in this work the α-MoO3:Ln3+ materials are reported as potential optical thermometers for the first time. In this synthesis approach, first MoS2 2D nanosheets were prepared, which were further heat treated to obtain α-MoO3. These materials were fully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and luminescence spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent luminescence measurements were carried out to determine the optical thermometric properties of two different types of α-MoO3:Ln3+ materials (Eu3+/Tb3+ downshifting and Er3+/Yb3+ upconversion luminescence systems). We demonstrate in this study that this class of material could be a potential candidate for temperature-sensing applications.