A luminescent dinuclear Eu(III) complex based on 2,8-bis(4′,4′,4′,-trifluoro-1′,3′-dioxobutyl)-dibenzothiophene for light-emitting diodes

A dinuclear Eu (III) complex Eu₂(dbt)₃·4H₂O was synthesized, where H₂dbt was 2,8-bis(4′,4′,4′,-trifluoro-1′,3′-dioxobutyl)-dibenzothiophene. The complex emits the characteristic red luminescence of Eu³⁺ ion due to the ⁵D₀→⁷F_J(J=0-4) transitions under 395 nm-light excitation with a luminescent quantum efficiency of 17%. The complex is thermally stable up to 280 °C. It was found that the complex can be effectively excited by a 395 nm-emitting InGaN chip. Bright red light was obtained using the complex as light color-conversion material.     

Crystal growth,structural and optical properties of an organic ion-complex crystal: 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methylstilbazolium iodide

4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methylstilbazolium iodide (DMSI) compound was synthesized by Knoevenagel reaction method and the crystals were grown by solution growth method. From the single crystal X-ray diffraction study, it is confirmed that DMSI crystal belongs to monoclinic system. The bond-length alternation (BLA) of the DMSI molecule was found to be 0.11 Å, which is responsible for quadratic NLO response. The electronic transition properties and optical constants such as energy gap (E_g), linear refractive index (n₁) were determined using UV–visible and photoluminescence spectral studies. The second order nonlinear optical property of the crystal was examined using Kurtz–Perry powder test. Laser induced damage threshold on (0 0 1) plane of the optically polished crystal was found to be 1.24 GW/cm².     

Synthesis and fluorescence study of sodium-2-(4′-dimethyl-aminocinnamicacyl)-3,3-(1′,3′-alkylenedithio) acrylate

We synthesized two new compounds: Sodium 2-(4′-dimethyl-aminocinnamicacyl)-3,3-(1′,3′- ethyl- enedithio) acrylate (STAA-1) and Sodium 2-(4′-dimethyl-aminocinnamicacyl)-3, 3-(1′,3′-propylenedithio) acrylate (STAA-2). The maximum absorption of these compounds ranges from 460 to 520 nm with different molecular structures in different solvents. Meanwhile, the emission peak of these compounds arranges from yellow (510 nm) to red (605 nm). The emission spectra show red shift according to the strength of the hydrogen bonding property of the solvent. But the absorption spectra do not show clearly relationship with the strength of the hydrogen bonding property of the solvent. The Stoke shift of the compounds ranges from 42 to 102 nm. It changes in the following order, EtOH>H₂O>DMF, and STAA-1>STAA-2 in the same solvent. The fluorescent quantum yield of STAA-1 was measured to be 7.12% with quinine sulphate as the standard compound in ethanol. Furthermore, the relationship of the fluorescence of STAA-1 with pH (ranges form 4 to 14) in water (c=∼10⁻⁴) was studied to make sure that these compounds could be used as proton sensors.     

Spectral characteristics of 2-(4′-amino-3-pyridyl)benzimidazole: Effects of solvent and acid or base concentration

Spectral characteristics of 2-(4′-amino-3-pyridyl)benzimidazole (4-A3PyBI) have been studied in different solvents, as well as at different acid or base concentrations using absorption, fluorescence excitation and fluorescence spectroscopy. Excited singlet state (S₁) lifetimes for each species were measured using nanosecond time-dependent spectrofluorimeter. AM1 semi-empirical and density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations were performed on each species for the spectral assignment. From the above results it is concluded that 4-A3PyBI exists only in the amine form. First protonation occurs at pyridineN- atom and second protonation at the benzimidazole (BI)N- atom. When dication (DC) species is excited, two emission bands are observed, having the same fluorescence excitation spectra, suggesting the same ground state (S₀) precursor. Short wavelength (SW) emission band is assigned to the π-π* transition and long wavelength (LW) emission to the charge transfer transition. First deprotonation in S₀ state occurs from >N-H moiety, whereas in S₁ state it is from -NH₂ group. Monoanion (MA) so formed in S₁ state is non-fluorescent. Dianion (DA) is formed by further deprotonating >N-H moiety in S₁ state and it is fluorescent. pK_a values were determined and discussed.     

Influence of solvent polarity and temperature on dual fluorescence of 10,10′-dibromo, 9,9′-bianthryl

Fluorescence of 10,10′-dibromo, 9,9′-bianthryl (DBrBA) in solvents of different polarities (n-hexane, dibutyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, and acetone) has been investigated as a function of temperature. Changing of the solvent and variation of temperature modifies the ratio of local (LE) and charge transfer (CT) fluorescence quantum yields. From the basic fluorescence data (quantum yields, lifetimes, ratio of CT to LE fluorescence quantum yields) the temperature-dependent equilibrium constants for the charge transfer process in the excited singlet state were calculated and discussed on the basis of the modern electron transfer theories. It has been found that the intersystem crossing in DBrBA in nonpolar n-hexane, leading to the population of the lowest triplet state, proceeds via the third triplet state. It has been confirmed by the fluorescence measurements and quantum mechanical calculations. Surprisingly, the experimentally obtained intersystem crossing rate constants are very weakly dependent on temperature. Thus, the electron transfer reaction leading to the population of the molecular triplet state is probably an adiabatic reaction with a rate constant controlled by the dielectric relaxation of the solvent.     

Steady-state fluorescence and photo-isomerization study of 1-methyl-4′-(p-N,N dimethyl-amino styryl) pyridinium iodide

Photochemical and thermal trans/cis isomerization reactions are reported for 1-methyl-4′-(p-N,N dimethyl-amino styryl) pyridinium iodide, Cy, which is synthesized in the trans configuration. In a basic solution the trans form, Cy_tr, cannot isomerise directly to the cis form. Its protonated form, Cy_trH⁺, is active and reacts photochemically from trans to cis isomer, Cy_cH⁺. The quantum yields Φ_tc and Φ_ct are determined in water. Deprotonation process of Cy_cH⁺ yields the cis isomer, Cy_c, which can thermally revert to the stable trans form. The rate constant and the activated parameters of the thermal reaction are also determined. Due to irreversibility of the thermal reaction , a complete molecular reaction cycle is performed in one direction. To get more information on the spectral properties of protonated form, its absorption and fluorescence spectra were investigated in sixteen neat polar protic and aprotic solvents. Absorption energy correlates linearly with hydrogen bond acceptor ability of the solvent. Another linear correlation was found between fluorescence energy of CyH⁺ and free energy for transferring the proton to the surrounding solvent, ΔG_t^o.     

Energy-transferred photoluminescence from thiophene/phenylene oligomer thin films

Photoluminescence (PL) based on Förster energy transfer between p-sexiphenyl (p-6P) and 5,5′-bis(4-phenylyl)-2,2′-bithiophene (BP2T) was investigated for their coevaporated and laminated thin films. In the former films, fluorescence quenching of the p-6P was accompanied by appearance of BP2T fluorescence, which indicated existence of the energy transfer between the donors and the acceptors. The latter films were fabricated by successive depositions of p-6P, MgF₂ and BP2T in which the thickness of the MgF₂ spacer was varied. The energy-transferred acceptor fluorescence was suppressed by the spacer thicker than the Förster distance (∼10 nm).     

New heteroleptic cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes containing 2-(2′,4′-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine for organic light-emitting diode applications

Two phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes (dfpmpy)₂Ir(ppc) and (dfpmpy)₂Ir(prz) [dfpmpy=2-(2′,4′-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine, ppc=pipecolinate, prz=2-pyrazine carboxylate] were synthesized from the reaction of the chloro-bridged dimeric complex [(dfpmpy)₂Ir(μ-Cl)]₂ and the ancillary ligand. Their structures and photoluminescence properties were investigated and device performances for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were studied. The complexes adopt a distorted, octahedral geometry around the iridium metal, exhibiting cis C-C and trans N-N arrangements. The photoluminescent (PL) properties reveal that (dfpmpy)₂Ir(ppc) emits in the blue-green region (λ_max=497 nm), whereas (dfpmpy)₂Ir(prz) shows red phosphorescence (λ_max=543 nm) in the film state (5% wt. doped in PMMA). The (dfpmpy)₂Ir(ppc)- and (dfpmpy)₂Ir(prz)-based OLEDs exhibited sky-blue and greenish-yellow electroluminescence with similar current-voltage characteristics, repectively. Maximum current efficiency of (dfpmpy)₂Ir(ppc) and (dfpmpy)₂Ir(prz) were 4.4 and 7.4 cd/A, respectively. Maximum luminance values were approximately 10,000 cd/m² for the both compounds.     

Spectroscopic study on the 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine and its metal complexes

Multitopic ligand, 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyterpy), has attracted growing attention because of its unique structural features, optical and electrochemical properties. Here, we report spectroscopic studies of pyterpy and its metal complexes in methanol solution. For the pure pyterpy, the ligand emission intensity increased with its concentration in the dilute solution, but decreased when its concentration was over 1.3×10⁻⁵ mol/l due to the concentration quenching. No significant influence on the ligand luminescence was observed for the Zn²⁺-pyterpy complex but strong luminescence quenching was observed for the electroactive Fe²⁺- and Co²⁺-pyterpy complexes. The lanthanide (Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺) complexes of the pyterpy showed both ligand and lanthanide ion emissions, especially for the Tb³⁺-pyterpy complex, suggesting that the excited energy of pyterpy ligand could be efficiently transferred to the central Tb³⁺ ions. The luminescence was pH sensitive with the strongest emission in the neutral solution. The results indicated that the multitopic ligand of pyterpy could not only act as linkers for the metal-directed building blocks, but also act as optical materials with its own emission at about 364 nm and as light antenna for the lanthanide ions.     

Preparation and photoluminescent properties of europium complexes with methoxy derivatives of 2′-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenones

The complexes Eu(L₁)₃·2H₂O (I) [where L₁=2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-2-phenylacetophenone], Eu(L₂)₃·2H₂O (II) [where L₂=2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-2-(p-methoxyphenyl) acetophenone], Eu(L₃)₃·2H₂O (III) [where L₃=2′-hydroxy-4′, 6′-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone] and Eu(L₄)₃·2H₂O (IV) [where L₄=2′-hydroxy-4′, 6′-dimethoxy -2-(p-methoxyphenyl) acetophenone] were synthesized. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) results showed the presence of europium in all the complexes. These complexes were further characterized by infra-red spectroscopy, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (scanning electron microscope) and elemental analysis. The synthesized complexes emit red luminescent with main peak at 612 nm on exposure to UV light at 354 nm. The complexes emitting bright red color might be applicable for optical devices and solid-state lamps for general illumination purposes.     

Electro-optical features of antiferroelectric liquid crystal material (S)-(+)-4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl) phenyl 4′-(6-octanoyloxyhex-1-oxy) biphenyl-4-carboxylate in its ferro and antiferroelectric phases

A detailed investigation of the electro-optical switching parameters of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal (S)-(+)-4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl) phenyl 4′-(6-octanoyloxyhex-1-oxy) biphenyl-4-carboxylate (abbreviated as S-7H6Bi) has been carried out. S-7H6Bi has paraelectric (SmA^?) and ferroelectric (SmC^?) phases in addition to antiferroelectric (SmC^?_A) phase. Switching parameters viz. spontaneous polarization and switching time were determined by polarization reversal method. The spontaneous polarization (P_s) is found to be highly temperature dependent and decreases with temperature. The maximum value of P_s is found to be ∼90 nC/cm² whereas the switching time (t_s) is found to be of the order 1-2 ms. The temperature dependent torsional viscosity (γ_t) is of the order 10 Pa sec. It increases with decrease in temperature.     

Electroluminescent properties of dimeric bis(2-(2′-hydroxyl phenyl)benzthiazolate)zinc (II) complex

A blue shifted photoluminescent emission in bis(2-(2′-hydroxyl phenyl)benzthiazolate)zinc (II) complex, ZBZT, arises out of the dimeric structure, typical of the localized electron density around the non-bridged ligand in the excited state of the complex. An average decay lifetime of 4.8 and 3.0 ns for the ligand and the complex, respectively indicates an energy transfer from the ligand to the metal. A PL quantum efficiency of about ?_ZBZT=0.45 in DMF solution is observed, in comparison to the Alq₃, complex, ?_Alq3=0.116. Semi empirical ZINDO/S-SCF-CI calculations support the dominance of non-bridged ligand moiety in controlling the photoluminescent properties. An unusually broad white light (FWHM ∼220 nm) electroluminescent emission in the two layer device structure brings out the features of an exciplex formation between the active layer ZBZT/TPD interface, which is studied at different current densities. Such a broadened emission is verified for different thicknesses of the active layer substantiating the role of exciplex formation.     

Crystal growth,structural, linear and nonlinear optical studies of 4-methyl-4′-N’-methylstilbazolium tosylate single crystals

Organic 4-methyl-4′-N’-methylstilbazolium tosylate, a new derivative of the stilbazolium tosylate family compound was synthesized by condensation method. The optical quality single crystals with dimension 5 mm × 4 mm × 2 mm were grown by slow evaporation technique at 40 °C. The crystal system and lattice parameters were found from single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The optical transmittance, cut-off wavelength (402 nm) and band gap energy (3.09 eV) were estimated by UV–visible studies. The surface laser damage threshold study was carried out for MMST crystal using Nd:YAG laser. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ³) for MMST crystal was estimated by employing Z-scan technique using 1064 nm laser.     

Electro-optical characteristics of photoinduced isomerization in 2,2′-azobis[5,6-bis(dodecyloxy)quinoxaline]-azo-dye-doped nematic liquid crystals

The formation of photoinduced gratings was realized and dielectric properties were investigated in a nematic liquid crystal (LC) doped by 2,2′-azobis[5,6-bis(dodecyloxy)quinoxaline] azo dye (AD). The enhancement of the optical and electrical properties of the system was studied by dielectric spectroscopy and diffraction grating measurements. We report the electro-optical properties of LC cells containing pure LC (E7) and its doped form with 1% (wt/wt) 2,2′-azobis[5,6-bis(dodecyloxy)quinoxaline] AD. Diffraction efficiencies, η, of 441 nm pump and 632 nm probe beams were measured in two-wave-mixing experiment. Diffraction efficiency has a noteworthy increase in AD-doped nematic liquid crytals. A maximum diffraction efficiency of 14% was found for cell doped with AD, while cells without AD had a maximum efficiency of 1%. Photoinduced refractive index change Δn and nonlinear index coefficient n₂ were also determined by the two-wave-mixing method. The dielectric parameters of AD-doped E7 and pure E7 LC have been investigated in the frequency range 1 kHz-1 MHz by the dielectric-spectroscopy method. Dielectric anisotropy (Δε) property of the LCs changes from the positive type to negative type and dielectric anisotropy values decrease with AD.     

Layer-by-layer deposition of Ti-4,4′-oxydianiline hybrid thin films

Features of the two thin-film techniques, atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD), are combined to build up a stable novel inorganic-organic hybrid material of the (-Ti-N-C₆H₄-O-C₆H₄-N-)_n type, deposited from successive pulses of TiCl₄ and 4,4′-oxydianiline precursors. Depositions in the temperature range of 160-230 °C resulted in unstable films, while the films obtained in the temperature range of 250-490 °C were found stable in atmospheric air. The growth rate increased with increasing temperature, from 0.3 Å per cycle at 160 °C to 1.1 Å per cycle at 490 °C.     

Photophysical parameters and fluorescence quenching of 7-diethylaminocoumarin (DEAC) laser dye

The optical properties including electronic absorption spectrum, emission spectrum, fluorescence quantum yield, and dipole moment of electronic transition of 7-diethylaminocoumarin (DEAC) laser dye have been measured in different solvents. Both electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra are red shifted as the polarity of the medium increases, indicating that the dipole moment of molecule increases on excitation. The fluorescence quantum yield of DEAC decreases as the polarity of solvent increases, a result of the role of solvent polarity in stabilization of the twisting of the intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) in excited state, which is a non-emissive state, as well as hydrogen bonding with the hetero-atom of dye. The emission spectrum of DEAC has also been measured in cationic (CTAC) and anionic (SDS) micelles, the intensity increases as the concentration of surfactant increases, and an abrupt change in emission intensity is observed at critical micelle concentration (CMC) of surfactant. 2×10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ of DEAC gives laser emission in the blue region on pumping with nitrogen laser (λ_ex=337.1 nm). The laser parameters such as tuning range, gain coefficient (α), emission cross section (σ_e), and half-life energy have been calculated in different solvents, namely acetone, dioxane , ethanol, and dimethyforamide (DMF). The photoreactivity of DEAC has been studied in CCl₄ at a wavelength of 366 nm. The values of photochemical yield (?_c) and rate constant (k) are determined. The interaction of organic acceptors such as picric acid (PA), tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), and 7,7,8,8-tetracynoquinonedimethane (TCNQ) with DEAC is also studied using fluorescence measurements in acetonitrile (CH₃CN); from fluorescence quenching study we assume the possible electron transfer from excited donor DEAC to organic acceptor forming non-emissive exciplex.     

Electrical characterization and photovoltaic properties of 7,7′,8,8′ tertracyanoquinodimethane thin films

Thin films of 7,7′,8,8′ tertracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) were deposited using thermal evaporation technique. TCNQ was found to be polycrystalline in powder form and preferred to orient at one plane in thin films. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of Au/TCNQ/Au device was studied. TCNQ thin films were deposited on p-GaAs single crystal substrate; the current-voltage and capacitance-voltage for TCNQ/p-GaAs junction sandwiched between two gold electrodes were investigated. The current of the device obeys the thermionic emission model in the voltage range of 0<V<0.5. The diode parameters such as rectification ratio, series resistance, quality factor and mean potential barrier height were evaluated. The space charge limited conduction dominated by single trapping level is applicable in the voltage range 0.5<V<1.5. The capacitance-voltage measurements showed that the formed junction is abrupt in its nature and the built-in potential is determined. Under illumination, the cell exhibited a photovoltaic characteristic from which the photovoltaic parameters such as open circuit voltage, short circuit current, fill factor and conversion efficiency were calculated.     

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between perylene and riboflavin in micellar solution and analytical application on determination of vitamin B2

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between perylene and riboflavin is studied in micellar solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The fluorescence of perylene is quenched by riboflavin and quenching is in accordance with Stern-Volmer relation. The efficiency of energy transfer is found to depend on the concentration of riboflavin. The value of critical energy transfer distance (R₀) calculated by using Foster relation is 32.13 Å, and as it is less than 50 Å, it indicates efficient energy transfer in the present system. The analytical relation was established between extent of sensitization and concentration of riboflavin, which helped to estimate vitamin B₂ directly from pharmaceutical tablets.     

The laser-induced fluorescence study of AΣ-XΠi band system of CuS

The laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectra of jet-cooled CuS molecules have been recorded in the energy range of 17 200-19 500 cm⁻¹. Fourteen observed vibronic bands have been assigned as three transition progressions: A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-4)-X²Π_3/2 (v″ = 0), A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-4)-X²Π_3/2 (v″ = 1), and A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-3)-X²Π_1/2 (v″ = 0). Spectroscopic constants of both the X²Π ground state and the A²Σ⁻ excited state of ⁶³CuS and ⁶⁵CuS were determined by analyzing their rotationally resolved spectra. Furthermore, the lifetimes of most observed bands were measured for the first time.     

Inhibition of copper corrosion by bis-(1,1′-benzotriazoly)-α,ω-diamide compounds in aerated sulfuric acid solution

Three kinds of novel corrosion inhibitors, bis-(1,1′-benzotriazoly)-α,ω-succinyldiamide (BSU), bis-(1,1′-benzotriazoly)-α,ω-adipoyldiamide (BAD), and bis-(1,1′-benzotriazoly)-α,ω-azelayldiamide (BAZ) were synthesized and certified by IR and ¹H NMR. Their corrosion inhibition effects for copper in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ were evaluated by weight-loss method. It shows that among the three compounds, only BSU behaves better compared with BTA. The inhibition efficiency (IE) increased with increasing BSU concentration to 85.2% at the 5 × 10⁻⁴ M level. Polarization studies showed that BSU suppressed both anodic and cathodic corrosion reactions. The minimum energy conformation of these compounds was obtained by MM2 force field program. The two benzotriazoly moieties in BSU molecule are more parallel than in other compounds. This is benefit to increase the inhibition effects of BSU.