8. Conclusion

Luminescent heterolanthanide coordination polymers are a unique class of materials in that huge families of compounds with similar physico-chemical properties, but different luminescence properties, can be prepared. This possibility, which is due to the particular electronic properties of rare-earth ions, makes these compounds promising candidates in the field of materials traceability.

Since their discovery, luminescent heterolanthanide coordination polymers have been extensively studied, and much progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms governing their luminescence properties. It is now possible to build a portrait of a family of effective luminescent markers (§