Novel leaf-shaped hybrid micro-particles: Chemically bonded self-assembly, microstructure and photoluminescence

A series of hybrid micro-particles have been prepared from functionalized benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (BMZC) through an organization process under the coordination to RE3+ (Eu3+, Tb3+), whose leaf-shaped morphology and photoluminescence are studied. The coordination effect of rare earth ions has great influence on the sol–gel assembly reaction, the microstructure and luminescent behavior.