Sensitized Lanthanide Photoluminescence Based Sensors–a Review

Abstract Photoluminescent supramolecular systems such as hydrogels and metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) can be useful for applications in many areas. In aqueous media, lanthanides exhibit luminescence by sensitization through covalently linked chromophores ( antenna effect), making them valuable for sensing and imaging applications. Fluorescent sensing by sensitized lanthanide emission in gels and MOFs provides a simple and rapid detection of analytes with high sensitivity and selectivity. This review presents the gradual evolution and the intriguing conceptualization of sensitized luminescence of lanthanides spanning the sensing of biomolecules, drugs, small organic molecules and enzymes employing hydrogels or MOFs as the sensing platform.