Synthesis, characterization, luminescence properties and deciphering the role of a terpyridyl-imidazole based ligand in the dissimilar luminescence sensitization of ternary lanthanide(III) tris-(β-diketonate) complexes

We designed four ternary lanthanide tris-(β-diketonate) complexes of the form [Ln(tta)3(tpy-HImzphen)], where Ln = LaIII, EuIII, SmIII and TbIII; tta = (2-theonyltrifluoroacetonate) and tpy-HImzphen = 2-(4-[2,2':6',2'']terpyridin-4'-yl-phenyl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole. All the complexes have been thoroughly characterized by standard analytical tools and spectroscopic techniques including single crystal X-ray diffraction. In situ generation of the complexes was also monitored via absorption and emission spectroscopy upon incremental addition of the respective lanthanide precursor {Ln(tta)3(H2O)2} to the dichloromethane solution of the terpyridyl-imidazole ligand. The photophysical behaviors of all the complexes were thoroughly investigated via absorption and both steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopic techniques. The emission spectral measurements were carried out at both room temperature and 77 K to understand the deactivation dynamics of the excited states and elucidate the distinctive luminescence responses from the four lanthanide metal ions owing to the introduction of the terpyridyl-based ancillary ligand.

Thermal, Spectroscopy and Luminescent Characterization of Hybrid PMMA/Lanthanide Complex Materials

Novel hybrid materials based on the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix and lanthanide(III) carboxylates Eu:2,6-DClB and Tb:2,6-DClB were synthesized and carefully analyzed in the context of their potential application in optically active polymer-based optical fibers. To determine the usefulness of the obtained materials, a careful thermal, mass spectroscopy, and optical characterization was performed, focusing on the features critical for the technology of optical fiber processing. In addition, the luminescent features of both lanthanide complexes and the resulting hybrid composites were carefully investigated to identify the processes responsible for light emission and to analyze the influence of the PMMA host on light emission intensity and spectral characteristics. The obtained results showed that both lanthanide carboxylate complexes exhibited intense luminescence in the red and green spectral range, typical of europium and terbium dopants, and that those features were well preserved after introducing them into the PMMA polymer. Thermal analysis also proved that introducing the luminescent additives did not significantly affect the thermal properties of both hybrid materials, thus enabling further processing into the form of optical fibers.

Smart composite films of nanometric thickness based on copper-iodine coordination polymers. Toward sensors

One-pot reactions between CuI and methyl or methyl 2-amino-isonicotinate give rise to the formation of two coordination polymers (CPs) based on double zig-zag Cu2I2 chains. The presence of a NH2 group in the isonicotinate ligand produces different supramolecular interactions affecting the Cu-Cu distances and symmetry of the Cu2I2 chains. These structural variations significantly modulate their physical properties. Thus, both CPs are semiconductors and also show reversible thermo/mechanoluminescence. X-ray diffraction studies carried out under different temperature and pressure conditions in combination with theoretical calculations have been used to rationalize the multi-stimuli-responsive properties. Importantly, a bottom-up procedure based on fast precipitation leads to nanofibers of both CPs. The dimensions of these nanofibres enable the preparation of thermo/mechanochromic film composites with polyvinylidene difluoride. These films are tens of nanometers in thickness while being centimeters in length, representing smaller thicknesses so far reported for thin-film composites. This nanomaterial integration of CPs could represent a source of alternative nanomaterials for opto-electronic device fabrication.

Synthesis and characterization of bright green terbium coordination complex derived from 1,4-bis(carbonylmethyl)terephthalate: Structure and luminescence properties

A photoluminescent terbium (Tb) complex involving a novel benzoic-acid compound with a unique coordinated structure, namely 1,4-bis(carbonylmethyl)terephthalate (BCMT), has been designed and synthesized. The new coordinate structure and energy-transfer mechanism between the ligand and Tb(III) ions were investigated in detail. The results demonstrated that the BCMT-Tb(III) complex shows strong fluorescence intensity (4×10⁶a.u.) and long fluorescence lifetime (1.302ms), owing to the favorable degree of energy matching between the triplet excited level of the ligand and the resonant level of Tb(III) ions. Based on the analysis of three-dimensional luminescence spectra, the as-prepared Tb(III) complex can be effectively excited in the range of 250-310nm, and it shows high color purity, with a bright green appearance.

Fabrication and characterization of dual-functional ultrafine composite fibers with phase-change energy storage and luminescence properties

Ultrafine composite fibers consisting of a thermoplastic polyurethane solid-solid phase-change material and organic lanthanide luminescent materials were prepared through a parallel electrospinning technique as an innovative type of ultrafine, dual-functional fibers containing phase-change and luminescent properties. The morphology and structure, thermal energy storage, and luminescent properties of parallel electrospun ultrafine fibers were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the parallel electrospun ultrafine fibers possessed the desired morphologies with smaller average fiber diameters than those of traditional mixed electrospun ultrafine fibers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that the parallel electrospun ultrafine fibers were composed of two parts. Polymeric phase-change materials, which can be directly produced and spun, were used to provide temperature stability, while a mixture of polymethyl methacrylate and an organic lanthanide complex acted as the luminescent unit. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and luminescence measurements indicated that the unique structure of the parallel electrospun ultrafine fibers provides the products with good thermal energy storage and luminescence properties. The fluorescence intensity and the phase-change enthalpy values of the ultrafine fibers prepared by parallel electrospinning were respectively 1.6 and 2.1 times those of ultrafine fibers prepared by mixed electrospinning.

The first examples of 1-D organic hybrid lanthanoid thioarsenates based on two [As(V)S4](3-) linkage modes

A series of new 1-D organic hybrid lanthanoid thioarsenates [Ln(dap)2]2(μ-η(1):η(1):η(1):η(1)-AsS4)(μ-η(1):η(1)-As(V)S4)]n {Ln = Ce (Ia), Pr (Ib), Nd (Ic), and Sm (Id); dap = diaminopropane} have been prepared under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized. Compounds Ia-d contain two [As(V)S4](3-) linkage modes, namely μ-η(1):η(1):η(1):η(1)-As(V)S4 and μ-η(1):η(1)-As(V)S4, which are linked alternately with [Ln(dap)2](3+) groups into 1-D neutral chains [Ln(dap)2]2(μ-η(1):η(1):η(1):η(1)-As(V)S4)(μ-η(1):η(1)-As(V)S4)]n, which represent the first examples of 1-D organic hybrid lanthanoid thioarsenates based on two [As(V)S4](3-) linkage modes. To learn more about the influence of lanthanide contraction on the formation of lanthanoid thioarsenates, five organic hybrid lanthanoid thioarsenates [Ln(dap)3As(V)S4] [Ln = Tb (IIa), Dy (IIb), Ho (IIIc), and Er (IIId)] and [Er(dien)2As(V)S4] (III, dien = diethylenetriamine) are also provided. Both II and III contain neutral lanthanide-centred complexes, where the tetrahedral anion [As(V)S4](3-) acts as a chelating ligand to the complex [Ln(dap)3](3+)/[Er(dien)2](3+) cation. Their optical properties have been characterized by UV-vis spectra, and the density functional theory calculation of Ia has been performed.

A lysosome targetable luminescent bioprobe based on a europium β-diketonate complex for cellular imaging applications

A unique bright luminescent europium coordination compound with excellent biocompatibility has been developed that serves as a selective bioprobe for particular organelles within the cells.

A series of new lanthanide fumarates displaying three types of 3-D frameworks

A series of 3-D new lanthanide fumarates obtained by hydrothermal reaction can be classified into three types, according to the crystal structures, which are related to lanthanide contraction.

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.

Pentanuclear [2.2] spirocyclic lanthanide(iii) complexes: slow magnetic relaxation of the DyIII analogue

A series of [2.2] spirocyclic complexes [Ln₅(LH)₄(η¹-Piv)(η²-Piv)₃(μ₂–η² η¹Piv)₂(H₂O)]·Cl (Ln = Dy^III, Tb^III and Ho^III) were synthesized. Magnetic analysis reveals that the Dy^III analogue showed slow relaxation of magnetization.

Synthesis, structure, and magnetism of non-planar heptanuclear lanthanide(iii) complexes

The reaction of 2-methoxy-6-(pyridine-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl) phenol (LH) with lanthanide(iii) salts (Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) in the presence of an excess of triethylamine afforded a series of non-planar heptanuclear homometallic complexes. The Gd(iii) analogue shows good MCE behaviour (−ΔS_m(T) = 27.7 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 3 K over 0–7 T).

The first example of Tb3-containing metallopolymer-type hybrid materials with efficient and high color-purity green luminescence

In the obtained Tb³⁺-based efficient (Φ_overall = 76–83%) and high color-purity green luminescent 3@PMMA from doping and metallopolymer-type Poly(NBE-3), grafting endows a higher-concentration self-quenching.

A series of lanthanoid selenidoantimonates(v): rare examples of lanthanoid selenidoantimonates based on dinuclear lanthanide complexes

This work provides rare examples of lanthanoid selenidoantimonates based on dinuclear lanthanide complexes.

A luminescent terbium coordination polymer for sensing methanol

A new promising sensor for detecting methanol has been prepared, which exhibits highly sensitive and selective luminescence quenching to methanol.

Tunable white-light emission from mixed lanthanide (Eu3+, Gd3+, Tb3+) coordination polymers derived from 4-(dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoate

A novel approach was developed for the generation of white-light emission from isostructural mixed Ln³⁺-4-(dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoate coordination polymers [Ln³⁺ = Eu³⁺ (1), Tb³⁺ (2), and Gd³⁺ (3)] by tuning the excitation wavelength.