Novel microporous lanthanide silicates with tobermorite-like structure

The synthesis and structural characterization of microporous lanthanide silicates (Na(1.08)K(0.5)Ln(1.14-)Si(3)O(8.5).1.78H(2)O, Ln = Eu, Tb, Sm, Ce) are reported. The structure of these solids is closely related with the structure of hydrated calcium silicate minerals known as tobermorites and was solved by powder X-ray diffraction ab initio (direct) methods and further characterized by chemical analysis, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, Na-23 and Si-29 MAS NMR and luminescence spectroscopy. These materials combine microporosity with interesting photoluminescence properties, and their structural flexibility allows fine-tuning of luminescence properties, by introducing a second type of lanthanide ion in the framework. Thus, they may find applications in new types of sensors.