Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of a red organic–inorganic phosphor based on terephthalate intercalated Zn/Al/Eu layered double hydroxide

•Zn/Al/Eu layered double hydroxides intercalated by terephthalate were prepared.•Terephthalate anions are vertical to the layers of LDH.•Materials display much enhanced red luminescence and long lifetime.•An efficient energy transfer from terephthalate anions to Eu3+ takes place.•The optimal doping concentration of Eu3+ is 2.5mol%. Terephthalate has been successfully intercalated into Zn/Al/Eu layered double hydroxide (LDH) by an ion exchange method. The basal spacing is changed from 14.1 to 13.8Ǻ with the increase of concentration of Eu3+ ions. A vertical arrangement of terephthalate anions within the gallery is adopted. These organic–inorganic materials display much enhanced red luminescence from Eu3+ ions, suggesting there is an efficient energy transfer from the excited state of the intercalated terephthalate anions to Eu3+ centers in the host layers. The optimal doping concentration of Eu3+ is 2.5mol%, and the life-time of all samples is around 0.3ms. This type of organic–inorganic hybrid system may offer interesting perspectives in developing efficient luminescent materials.