Pore-confined synthesis of mesoporous nanocrystalline La–Ce phosphate films for sensing applications

"A new method for the preparation of fluorescent mesoporous La–Ce phosphate films by spin coating is. reported here. The structure is obtained by a pore-confined synthesis involving an in situ growth of. La0.5Ce0.5PO4 nanoparticles inside the pores of a mesoporous silica thin film and the subsequent partial. sintering. The removal of the sacrificial mesoporous silica matrix is achieved by chemical etching, which. leaves on the substrate a La0.5Ce0.5PO4 mesoporous film exhibiting good adhesion properties and high. fluorescence intensity that can be quenched by a water solution containing organo-phosphate bearing. nitrophenyl groups. The sensing capabilities of these materials have been tested for the detection of. pesticides in water."