A novel fluorescent probe for the detection of Fe3+ ions with Eu3+/SnO2 nanocrystals Co-doped silica glasses

Detection of Fe3+ ions is of paramount importance for environmental protection and human health. Herein, we reported a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence probe for the quantification of Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution with Eu3+/SnO2 nanocrystals co-doped silica glasses as the sensing unit. Due to the high stability of silica glasses and their efficient protection for emitting centers, the probe has good recyclability and can be applied in real water environment, indicating its potential for on-site sensing. The detection limit of Fe3+ ions is 7.54 nmol/L. Experiments were carried out to verify that the probe shows excellent cross interference with other metal ions. The detecting mechanism can be ascribed to the excitation/emission absorption and energy transfer of Fe3+ ions. Our work paves a novel way of semiconductor oxide nanocrystals for applications in optoelectronics.