Fluorescence of Zn-Al-Eu ternary layered hydroxide response to phenylalanine.

We reported the fluorescence of a Zn-Al-Eu ternary layered double hydroxide (LDH) response to an amino acid (phenylalanine) for the first time. As shown in fluorescence, the red emissions attributed to (5)D(0)-(7)F(J) transitions (J=1, 2, 3, 4) of Eu(3+) ions were quenched by the phenylalanine (Phe), and a strong blue emission at around 445 nm appeared. The fluorescent changes may be due to ligand-to-metal charges transfer, which was caused by the interaction between the Zn-Al-Eu LDH and Phe. This interaction was manifested by markedly different chemical shift positions of the Zn 3p(3/2), Al 2p, Eu 4d(3/2), O 1s, and C 1s peaks in the XPS spectra from those of the Zn-Al-Eu LDH and Zn-Al-Eu/Phe composite. Furthermore, the interaction between the LDH and Phe was supported by the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) analysis. The fluorescence of Zn-Al-Eu LDH response to Phe may be potential application in biological techniques.