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DOI: https://doi.org/10.6023/A26060211

Review

Rare-Earth Complex Functional Materials: From Molecular Design and Property Modulation to Cutting-Edge Applications

  • Fu-jia Song ,
  • Pingru Su ,
  • Yu Tang
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  • aCollege of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Engineering Research Center of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou 730000, China;
    bState Key Laboratory of Baiyunobo Rare Earth Resource Researches and Comprehensive Utilization, Baotou Research Institute of Rare Earths, Baotou 014030, China

Received date: 2026-06-20

  Online published: 2026-08-03

Supported by

National Natural Science Foundation of China (22221001, 22131007, 22401119), the 111 project (B20027), the Science and Technology Program of Gansu Province (24ZD13GA015, 23ZDGA012, 26JDRA008) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (lzujbky-2025-jdzx13)

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Abstract

Rare earth elements exhibit outstanding optical, electrical, and magnetic properties owing to their unique 4f electronic configuration, and have found widespread applications in fields such as information technology, energy, and healthcare. Rare earth complexes formed by combining rare earth ions with organic ligands integrate the structural characteristics of both components, while offering considerable flexibility in molecular design. Furthermore, their distinctive assembly features enable the cross-scale construction and performance modulation of materials ranging from discrete complex molecules to functional materials, thus representing a crucial pathway toward the efficient utilization of rare earth resources. The rational design of ligands not only facilitates the precise construction of complex structures, but also enables the targeted regulation of their properties, which is of great significance for elucidating structure-property relationships and for developing novel materials for optoelectronics, sensing, catalysis, and energy-related applications. Despite remarkable progress, challenges remain in this field concerning the optimization of synthetic methodologies, the creation of new materials, and the enhancement of stability. This review summarizes the recent research advances made by our group, covering aspects from molecular design and property modulation to application exploration. Emphasis is placed on the precise synthesis and functional regulation achieved through strategies such as coordination-driven self-assembly, in situ coordination, and microstructure evolution, along with the demonstration of these materials in intelligent luminescent and photo-functional materials and devices. Finally, we analyze the opportunities and challenges confronting this field, with the aim of providing a reference for the development of precise synthetic methodologies for rare earth complex-based functional materials.

Key words： rare earth complexes; functional materials; precise synthesis; molecular design; property regulation

Cite this article

Fu-jia Song , Pingru Su , Yu Tang . Rare-Earth Complex Functional Materials: From Molecular Design and Property Modulation to Cutting-Edge Applications[J]. Acta Chimica Sinica, 0 : 3 -3 . DOI: 10.6023/A26060211

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