Visible-Light Excitable Europium(III) Complexes with 2,7-Positional Substituted Carbazole Group-Containing Ligands

Preparation and Judd-Ofelt Analysis of Warm Red Luminescent Eu3+ Complexes for Semiconductor Lasing Devices

Six novel red photoluminescent Eu3+ complexes with 3-formyl chromone as the primary sensitizer (L) were synthesized using the solution precipitation method. These complexes are [Eu(L3).X] where X is 2H2O (C1), phen (C2), neo (C3), bipy (C4), dmph (C5), and biquno (C6). These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, EDAX analysis, SEM, FT-IR, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) and photoluminescence spectra. The transition rates, quantum efficiency, and J-O intensity parameters were calculated using emission data and luminescence decay time (τ). Complexes exhibit a strong emission peak (5D0 → 7F2) of the Eu3+ ion in their luminescence emission spectra in solid and solution states, making them an effective emitter of the red color in OLEDs. The branching ratio of these complexes ranges from 80.67-82.92 in solid and 50.53-62.65 in solution state; CIE color coordinate of complexes falls in the red region. The color purity ranges [CP(%)] values for solid 95.26-97.27% and for solution ranges 85.11-93.43%. Correlated color temperature (CCT) of the complexes (C1-C6) ranged from 2710 to 3049 K in the solid state and 1775 to 2450 K in the solution state. These complexes are promising red emitters in OLEDs, semiconductors, and leasing devices.

Thermosensitive visible-light-excited visible-/NIR-luminescent complexes with lanthanide sensitized by the π-electronic system through intramolecular H-bonding

Visible-luminescent lanthanide (LnL) complexes with a highly planar tetradentate ligand were successfully developed for a visible-light solid-state excitation system. L was designed by using two 2-hydroxy-3-(2-pyridinyl)-benzaldehyde molecules bridged by ethylenediamine, which was then coordinated to a series of Ln ions (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Yb). From the measurement of single-crystal X-ray analysis of EuL, two phenolic O atoms and two imine N atoms in L were coordinated to the Eu ion, and each π-electronic system took coplanar with the edged-pyridine moiety through an intramolecular hydrogen bond. The enol group on the phenolic skeleton changed to the keto form, and the pyridine was protonated. Thus, intramolecular proton transfer occurred in L after the complexation. Other complexes take isostructure. The space group is P-1, and the c-axis shrinks with decreasing temperature without a phase transition in EuL. The yellow color caused by the planar structure of L can sensitize ff emission by visible light, and the luminescence color of each complex depends on central Ln ions. Furthermore, a phosphorescence band also appeared at rt with ff emission in LnL. Drastic temperature dependence of luminescence was clarified quantitatively.

Excited-State Dynamics of Crossing-Controlled Energy Transfer in Europium Complexes

Photosensitized energy transfer (EnT) phenomena occur frequently in a variety of photophysical and photochemical processes and have traditionally been treated with the donor-acceptor distance-dependent Förster and Dexter models. However, incorrect arguments and formulae were employed by ignoring energy resonance conditions and the selection rules of the state-to-state transition in special cases, especially for the sensitive intramolecular EnT of lanthanide complexes. Herein, we proposed an innovative model of energy-degeneracy-crossing-controlled EnT, which can be experimentally confirmed by time-resolved two-dimensional photoluminescence measurements. The computationally determined energy resonance region provides the most effective channel to achieve metal-to-ligand EnT beyond the distance-dependent model and sensitively bifurcates into symmetry-allowed or -forbidden channels for some representative europium antenna complexes. The outcomes of the multidisciplinary treatment contribute to a complementary EnT model that can be tuned by introducing a phosphorescence modulator and altering the antenna-related parameters of the ligand-centered energy level of the ³ππ* state and its spin-orbit coupling for the ³ππ* → S₀ ^* transition through mechanism-guided crystal engineering and should motivate further development of mechanistic models and applications.

Coordination-Directed Self-Assembly of Functional Polynuclear Lanthanide Supramolecular Architectures

Lanthanide supramolecular chemistry is a fast growing and intriguing research field due to the unique photophysical, magnetic, and coordination properties of lanthanide ions (Ln^III). Compared with the intensively investigated mononuclear Ln-complexes, polymetallic lanthanide supramolecular assemblies offer more structural superiority and functional advantages. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in polynuclear lanthanide supramolecules, varying from structural evolution to luminescent and magnetic functional materials. This review summarizes the design principles in ligand-induced coordination-driven self-assembly of polynuclear Ln-structures and intends to offer guidance for the construction of more elegant Ln-based architectures and optimization of their functional performances. Design principles concerning the water solubility and chirality of the lanthanide-organic assemblies that are vital in extending their applications are emphasized. The strategies for improving the luminescent properties and the applications in up-conversion, host-guest chemistry, luminescent sensing, and catalysis have been summarized. Magnetic materials based on supramolecular assembled lanthanide architectures are given in an individual section and are classified based on their structural features. Challenges remaining and perspective directions in this field are also briefly discussed.

Exploration of photophysical behavior of lanthanide complex and its hybrids

The present work envisioned to synthesize europium complexes [Eu-(L)₃-phen] (where, L is 4,4,4-Trifluoro-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butanedione (TFB), phen-1,10 -phenanthroline) and its hybrids via embedding pure complex into silica and PMMA. The sol-gel method was adopted for incorporating europium complex into silica matrix as [Eu-(L)₃-phen]-silica and this method was proved to be highly effective and excellent approach for obtaining such lanthanide hybrid material. Another hybrid was prepared by incorporating complex into PMMA (polymethyl methyl acrylate), an organic polymer, transformed into flexible thin film. The structure of the [Eu-(L)₃-phen] was elucidated using various spectroscopic techniques, moreover Sparkle model calculation were utilized for prediction of ground state geometry. The photophysical properties of pure complex [Eu-(L)₃-phen] and its hybrids were studied in detail and compared. The incorporation of pure complex into PMMA is highly supportive to enhance the stability of complex as evident from enhanced luminescent intensity, intensity ratio value 6.52, longer lifetime value 842μs and higher quantum efficiency 77% over pure complex. The organic polymer PMMA is expected to interact well with europium complex via antenna effect. The use of such inorganic and organic entities for hybrid preparation purposefully overcomes the flaws of lanthanide complexes in terms of thermal stability and mechanical strength. The promising and fascinating properties of synthesized lanthanide hybrids are fruitful in material research.

A Highly Efficient and Durable Fluorescent Paper Produced from Bacterial Cellulose/Eu Complex and Cellulosic Fibers

The general method of producing fluorescent paper by coating fluorescent substances onto paper base faces the problems of low efficiency and poor durability. Bacterial cellulose (BC) with its nanoporous structure can be used to stabilize fluorescent particles. In this study, we used a novel method to produce fluorescent paper by first making Eu/BC complex and then processing the complex and cellulosic fibers into composite paper sheets. For this composting method, BC can form very stable BC/Eu complex due to its nanoporous structure, while the plant-based cellulosic fibers reduce the cost and provide stiffness to the materials. The fluorescent paper demonstrated a great fluorescent property and efficiency. The ultraviolet absorbance or the fluorescent intensity of the Eu-BC fluorescent paper increased with the increase of Eu-BC content but remained little changed after Eu-BC content was higher than 5%. After folding 200 times, the fluorescence intensity of fluorescent paper decreased by only 0.7%, which suggested that the Eu-BC fluorescent paper has great stability and durability.

Thermally Stable White Emitting Eu3+ Complex@Nanozeolite@Luminescent Glass Composite with High CRI for Organic-Resin-Free Warm White LEDs

Nowadays, it is still a great challenge for lanthanide complexes to be applied in solid state lighting, especially for high-power LEDs because they will suffer severe thermal-induced luminescence quenching and transmittance loss when LEDs are operated at high current. In this paper, we have not only obtained high efficient and thermally chemical stable red emitting hybrid material by introducing europium complex into nanozeolite (NZ) functionalized with the imidazolium-based stopper but also abated its thermal-induced transmittance loss and luminescence quenching behavior via coating it onto a heat-resistant luminescent glass (LG) with high thermal conductivity (1.07 W/mK). The results show that the intensity at 400 K for Eu(PPO)_n-C₄Si@NZ@LG remains 21.48% of the initial intensity at 300 K, which is virtually 153 and 13 times the intensity of Eu(PPO)₃·2H₂O and Eu(PPO)_n-C₄Si@NZ, respectively. Moreover, an organic-resin-free warm white LEDs device with a low CCT of 3994K, a high Ra of 90.2 and R9 of 57.9 was successfully fabricated simply by combining NUV-Chip-On-Board with a warm white emitting glass-film composite (i.e., yellowish-green emitting luminescent glass coated with red emitting hybrid film). Our method and results provide a feasible and promising way for lanthanide complexes to be used for general illumination in the future.

Bright orange and red light-emitting diodes of new visible light excitable tetrakis-Ln-β-diketonate (Ln = Sm3+, Eu3+) complexes

A new β-diketonate ligand and its visible light excitable Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺-complexes were designed and synthesized; these complexes showed highly efficient photoluminescence and electroluminescence properties.

Kinetically "locked" metallomacrocycle

Self-assembly based on reversible metal-ligand bond formation is useful for the synthesis of discrete supramolecular nanoarchitectures. However, the architectures constructed by this technique sometimes suffer from kinetic instability due to the dissociation of metal-ligand bonds, especially under highly diluted conditions or in the presence of competitive ligands or metal ions. In this study, a kinetically stabilized metallomacrocycle was synthesized in one pot via the combination of metal-mediated self-assembly and subsequent oxidative "locking" of the coordination bonds. The macrocycle consists of four Co ions and four bis-bidentate ligands L(2-). The complexation of labile Co(II) ions with the ligands afforded the macrocycle with four-fold rotational symmetry, exhibiting the right-angled geometries of the β-diketonate ligands on the carbazole. The subsequent oxidation of the Co(II) ions inside the macrocycle into Co(III) ions made the metal-ligand bonds almost inert, thus affording a kinetically locked 4 : 4 metallomacrocycle. This macrocycle showed high stability even in the presence of an excess amount of competitive ligands. X-ray crystallography of the macrocycle indicated that it assembled in a columnar manner, forming one-dimensional nanochannels in the middle of the column.

OFF-ON-OFF Dual Emission at Visible and UV Wavelengths from Carbazole Functionalized β-Diketonate Europium(III) Complex

This work demonstrates dual emission "OFF-ON-OFF" switching at visible and UV wavelengths of a carbazole functionalized β-diketone (LH) by a simple change of a europium(III) ion (Eu(3+)) concentration in the submicromolar concentration range. In the presence of 0.25 equiv of Eu(3+) (5 μM), LH forms a luminescent 4:1 complex ([Eu(3+)(L(-))4](-)) exhibiting dual emission at 357 and 613 nm resulting from the local excitation of the carbazole ring and ligand-sensitized luminescence from the Eu(3+)-β-diketonate unit, respectively. The 4:1 complex begins to convert into a 2:1 complex ([Eu(3+)(L(-))2](+)) via a 3:1 complex [Eu(3+)(L(-))3] above a molar ratio ([Eu(3+)]/[LH]) of 0.25, which provides the opportunity for binding of solvent methanol molecules to the vacant site of the Eu(3+) ion in the complex ([Eu(3+)(L(-))2(MeOH)n](+)). The OH oscillators of coordinated methanol molecules facilitate the nonradiative pathway of the Eu(3+) emission; hence the emission at 613 nm almost disappears above the 0.50 equivalent of Eu(3+) (11 μM), while the UV emission at 357 nm remains mostly constant over the whole concentration range.

A highly-efficient blue-light excitable red phosphor: intramolecular π-stacking interactions in one dinuclear europium(iii) complex

A series of ternary dinuclear europium(iii) complexes [Eu2(2,7-BTFDBC)3-n(DBM)2n(Phen)2] (n = 0, 1, or 2) were synthesized by using 2,7-bis(4'4'4'-trifluoro-1,3-dioxobutyl)-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazole) (2,7-BTFDBC), dibenzoylmethane (DBM), 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and europium(iii) ions. All these complexes display a broad excitation band in the blue region and high intensity emission with high colour purity. The intensity of emission significantly increases with the increase of DBM in [Eu2(2,7-BTFDBC)3-n(DBM)2n(Phen)2] (n = 0, 1, or 2). The theoretical predictions of the molecular geometry and electronic absorption spectrum of [Eu2(2,7-BTFDBC)(DBM)4(Phen)2] confirm that the pendant phenyl domains engage in multiple T-shaped and parallel-displaced π-stacking interactions with the coordination sphere of two europium(iii) centers. Using [Eu2(2,7-BTFDBC)(DBM)4(Phen)2] as a red phosphor, a single red LED has been obtained with a ∼460 nm-emitting GaN chip.

Crystallization of triple- and quadruple-stranded dinuclear bis-β-diketonate-Dy(iii) helicates: single molecule magnetic behavior

Quadruple-stranded Dy-helicates are crystallographically locked through deliberate design on the bis-β-diketonate ligand. The triple-stranded helicates could be tuned by the incorporation of phenanthroline, which contributes to strengthening the anisotropy barrier as well.

Tuning of the excitation wavelength in Eu3+-aminophenyl based polyfluorinated β-diketonate complexes: a red-emitting Eu3+-complex encapsulated in a silica/polymer hybrid material excited by blue light

A series of new antenna complexes of Eu³⁺ based on aminophenyl β-diketonate ligands was designed and their photophysical properties were evaluated.

Europium-doped LaF3nanocrystals with organic 9-oxidophenalenone capping ligands that display visible light excitable steady-state blue and time-delayed red emission

Visible light excitable 9-oxidophenalenone-coated LaF₃:Eu NCs display steady-state blue and time-delayed red emission; capping ligands act as probes to reveal three different Eu³⁺sites with distinct emission properties.

Achieving visible light excitation in carbazole-based Eu3+–β-diketonate complexes via molecular engineering

A series of visible light excited Eu³⁺–carbazole based β-diketonate complexes has been developed by molecular engineering.

Luminescent single molecule magnets of a series of β-diketone dysprosium complexes

A series of three β-diketone mononuclear Dy(iii) complexes exhibit bifunctional properties of single molecule magnet and luminescence.

Light emission of a polyfluorene derivative containing complexed europium ions

Pure red emission in the solid state was achieved through energy transfer from a polyfluorene derivative (blue emitter) to europium complexed sites inserted into the chain.

Supramolecular self-assembly enhanced europium(III) luminescence under visible light

In this paper, we report on the luminescence of europium by directly exciting europium ions with visible light in aqueous medium. Upon replacing all the water molecules that coordinate around a central europium ion with a ditopic ligand 1,11-bis(2,6-dicarboxypyridin-4-yloxy)-3,6,9-trioxaundecane (L2EO4), the quenching from water molecules is efficiently eliminated, offering considerable europium emission. By stoichiometrically mixing with a positively charged block polyelectrolyte, the negatively charged L2EO4-Eu coordinating complex can be transformed into a coordination 'polymer', which simultaneously forms electrostatic micelles with further enhanced europium fluorescence emission, owing to the increased fraction of L2EO4-coordinated Eu(III) as revealed by the fluorescence lifetime measurements. This approach avoids the use of the antenna effect that often utilizes UV light as the irradiation source. We further use those micelles for bio-imaging, and for the first time demonstrate the use of directly excited Eu-containing nano-probes for in vivo fluorescence imaging in small animals under visible excitation. Although literature results have shown that the direct excitation of europium ions in water may lead to emissions in the presence of coordinating ligands, those emissions were too weak to be applied due to the remaining water molecules in the coordination sphere. Our work points out that the direct excitation of europium can generate considerable europium emission given that all the water molecules in the coordination sphere are excluded, which does not only greatly reduce tedious lab work in synthesizing antenna molecules, but also facilitates the application of europium in aqueous medium under visible light.

Crystal structure and highly luminescent properties studies of bis-β-diketonate lanthanide complexes

A new bis(β-diketonate), 1,3-bis(4,4,4-trifluoro-1,3-dioxobutyl)phenyl (BTP), which contains a trifluorinated alkyl group, has been prepared for the synthesis of two series of dinuclear lanthanide complexes with the general formula Ln2(BTP)3L2 [Ln(3+) = Eu(3+), L = DME(1), bpy(2), and phen(3); Ln(3+) = Sm(3+), L = DME(4), bpy(5), and phen(6); DME = ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline]. The crystal structure of the free ligand has been determined and shows a twisted arrangement of the two binding sites around the 1,3-phenylene spacer. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that complexes 1, 2, 4, and 5 are triple-stranded dinuclear structures formed by three bis-bidentate ligands with two lanthanide ions. The room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra of complexes 1-6 show that this bis-β-diketonate can effectively sensitize rare earths (Sm(3+) and Eu(3+)) and produce characteristic emissions of the corresponding Eu(3+) and Sm(3+) ions. In addition, two bidentate nitrogen ancillary ligands, 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), have been employed to enhance the luminescence quantum yields and lifetimes of both series of Eu(3+) and Sm(3+) complexes.

The synthesis and luminescence of europium (III) complex based on deprotonated 1-(4-ethyl-4H-thieno[3,2-b]indol-6-yl)-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dionate and 1,10-phenanthroline

A new β-diketone ligand, 1-(4-ethyl-4H-thieno[3,2-b]indol-6-yl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-butane-1,3-dione(HL) was synthesized by four steps reaction (Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, Cadogan cyclization, N-ethylation and Claisen condensation reaction) from 1-(4-bromo-3-nitrophenyl)ethanone and thiophen-2-ylboronic acid. Deprotonated ligand (L(-1)) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) coordinated to Eu(3+) to obtain a new europium (III) complex, EuL(3)(phen). The complex was characterized by elementary analysis, IR, (1)H NMR, UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements in detail. TGA shows that the decomposition temperature of the complex is up to 320 °C. PL measurement results indicate that the Eu(III) complex exhibit intense red-emission with the characteristic of europium ion. Red LED device was successfully fabricated by employing the complex onto 380 nm-emitting InGaN chip, which shows that the complex can act as red phosphor in combination with 380 nm-emitting chips.

Highly luminescent lanthanide complexes with novel bis-β-diketone ligand: synthesis, characterization and photoluminescent properties

A biphenyl-linked bis-β-diketone ligand, 3,3'-bis(3-phenyl-3-oxopropanol)biphenyl (BPB) has been prepared for the syntheses of a series of dinuclear lanthanide complexes. The ligand bears two benzoyl β-diketonate sites linked by a 3,3'-biphenyl spacer. Reaction of the doubly negatively charged bis-bidenate ligand with lanthanide ions forms triple-stranded dinuclear complexes Ln(2)(BPB)(3) (Ln=Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Yb (4) and Gd (5)). Electrospray mass spectrometry is used to identify the formation of the triple-stranded dinuclear complexes 1-5, which have been further characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The complexes display strong visible and NIR luminescence upon excitation at ligands bands around 360 nm, depending on the choice of the lanthanides, and the emission quantum yields and luminescence lifetimes of 2-3 have been determined. It shows that the biphenyl-linked ligand BPB is a more efficient sensitizer than the monodiketone ligand DBM (dibenzoylmethane), through the comparisons of Ln(2)(BPB)(3) and Ln(DBM)(3) on their photoluminescent properties.

Highly luminescent bis-diketone lanthanide complexes with triple-stranded dinuclear structure

A new bis-β-diketone, 3,3'-bis(4,4,4-trifluoro-1,3-dioxobutyl)biphenyl (BTB), has been designed and prepared for the synthesis of a series of dinuclear lanthanide complexes [Ln(2)(BTB)(3)(C(2)H(5)OH)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] [Ln = Eu (1), Gd (2)], [Ln(2)(BTB)(3)(DME)(2)] [Ln = Nd (3), Yb (4); DME = ethylene glycol dimethyl ether] and [Eu(2)(BTB)(3)(L)(2)] [L = 2,2-bipydine (5); 1,10-phenanthroline (6); 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (7)]. Complexes 1-7 have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and their photophysical properties are investigated. X-ray crystallographical analysis reveals that complexes 1, 3 and 4 adopt triple-stranded dinuclear structures which are formed by three bis-bidentate ligands with two lanthanide ions. The complexes 1 and 3-7 display strong visible red or NIR luminescence upon irradiation at ligand band around 372 nm, depending on the choice of the lanthanide. The solid-state photoluminescence quantum yields and the lifetimes of Eu(3+) complexes are determined and described.