Synthesis, structural characterization and determination of the nitro-containing explosives detection potential of supramolecular lanthanum complex and Lanthana nanoparticles

[Display omitted] •The nanosized, [La(HO-C6H4-CH2COO)3(H2O)].(H2O) and La2O3 were synthesized.•The linear optical absorption properties of these materials were investigated.•These materials are good candidates for the detection of nitroaromatic compounds. A novel nanoparticle sized complex, [La(HO-C6H4-CH2COO)3(H2O)].(H2O), has been prepared by the reaction of LaIII ion and a versatile carboxylate ligand, 4-hydroxyphenylacetatic acid. The obtained complex was structurally characterized by using single crystal X-ray diffraction, SEM-EDS and FT-IR spectroscopy. Then, we synthesized La2O3 nanoparticles by the calcination of the complex and characterized its features by powder X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis. Average particle sizes of the complex and La2O3 particles were determined 19.6 nm and 44.02 nm, respectively. The bulk form of La2O3 (bulk) was bought commercially. The linear optical absorption traces of all materials were recorded by using UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The nitro-containing explosive detection potentials of complex, nanoparticles and bulk materials were investigated by using fluorescence spectrophotometer which is measured the fluorescence quenching of these three materials in nitro-containing media. It was found that all of the studied materials are good candidates especially for the detection of nitroaromatic compounds.