Directional self-assembly of rare-earth hydroxocation nanosheets and paradodecatungstate anions.

Simply mixing layered rare-earth hydroxide colloidal solutions and paratungstate solution at pH > 7 led to directional self-assembly of rare-earth hydroxide nanosheets and paradodecatungstates. These hybrids exhibit efficient energy transfer from the OMCT band to rare-earth ions in the hydroxide layers as well as highly enhanced f-f transitions.