Synthesis, crystal structures and photoluminescent properties of lanthanide supramolecular complexes with 4-oxo-1(4H)-quinolineacetate

Five new lanthanide supramolecular complexes, namely, [Sm(oqa)₂(H₂O)₄]₂ (ClO₄)₂·(bpy)₂ (1), [Ln(oqa)₃]·2H₂O [Ln=Sm(2), Gd(3)] and [Ln(oqa)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)] [Ln=Pr(4), Eu(5)] (oqa=4-oxo-1(4H)-quinolineacetate, bpy=4,4′-bipyridine), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. These complexes exhibit three typical structure features. Complex 1 possesses a dimeric structure, which is further connected together through hydrogen bonds and π-π attractions, forming a 3D supramolecular framework. Compounds 2-3 are isomorphous and contain 1D ring-like chains, which are further interconnected by the oqa ligands into 2D sheet-like structures. 4 and 5 exhibit eight-connected 3D network of 4²⁴·6⁴-bcu topology. The various coordination modes of carboxylate ligands and the selection of the counterions have clearly affected the topological structures. Furthermore, the solid-state luminescent properties of complexes 1, 2 and 5 were investigated at room temperature and they show intense, characteristic emissions in the visible region.     

Two- and three-dimensional coordination polymers of lanthanide tartrate: synthesis,crystal structures and luminescence

Several new coordination polymers of lanthanide tartrate with three types of topological structures, namely [Ln₂(DL-tart)₃(H₂O)₃] · 1.5H₂O [Ln = La (1), Nd (2), and Sm (3)], [Ln₂(D-tart)₃(H₂O)₂] · 3H₂O [Ln = Eu (4), Tb (5), and Dy (6)], and [Lu(C₄H₄O₆)(C₄H₅O₆)] · 2.5H₂O (7), have been synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that 1 is a unique 3-D network, whereas 5 with a 3-D network and 7 with a 2-D network are isomorphous with their analogs. All lanthanide ions are nine-coordinate through oxygen donors. Four different coordination modes of tartrate occur in these complexes. Luminescence spectra reveal that 4, 5, and 6 emit characteristic luminescence of corresponding lanthanide ions.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and photoluminescent properties of four lanthanide 5-nitroisophthalate coordination polymers

Four new lanthanide coordination polymers, [Y(Hnip)(nip)(H₂O)]·H₂O (1), [Ln(Hnip)(nip)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O [Ln=Eu(2), Tb(3)] and [Y(nip)₂]·(H₂4,4′-bpy)_0.5 (4) [5-nip=5-nitroisophthalate, 4,4′-bpy=4,4′-bipyridine], have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 1 features novel lanthanide-carboxylate groups chains composed of three samehanded helical strands intersecting each other through hinged lanthanide atoms, and these chains are cross-linked by phenylene moieties of carboxylate ligands into a 2D layer structure. Compounds 2 and 3 are isomorphous, and contain 1D catenanelike Ln-O-C-O-Ln chains, which are interconnected by phenylene moieties into 2D layer structures. Compound 4, however, displays a 3D architecture sustained by strong hydrogen bonding interactions between the protonated 4,4′-bpy and the carboxyl oxygen atom from [Y₂(nip)₄]²⁻ with 2D layer structure, and 4,4′-bpy as the guest molecules exist in bilayer channel. The studies for the thermal stabilities of the four compounds show that compound 4 is more stable than other compounds. Compound 2 emits characteristic red luminescence of Eu³⁺ ions at room temperature, and its luminescent lifetime and quantum efficiency has been determined.     

Hydrothermal syntheses,structural characterization,and photoluminescent properties of five lanthanide coordination polymers

Five mixed-ligand coordination polymers, [Ln₂(PTCP)₂(m-BDC)₃] _n ?·?nH₂O (Ln?=?Pr (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Tb (4), Dy (5); m-BDC?=?1,3-benzenedicarboxylate; PTCP?=?2-phenyl-1H-1,3,7,8-tetraazacyclopenta[l]phenanthrene), were synthesized and characterized by IR spectra, elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analyses, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and solid-state photoluminescent spectra. X-ray crystallographic analyses reveal that the five complexes are 1-D structures based on dinuclear [Ln₂O₁₂N₄] units and further assembled into 3-D supramolecular networks by hydrogen bonds and π···π stacking interactions. The solids possess high thermal stabilities, with 3 and 4 exhibiting strong pure red and green characteristic emissions of Eu(III) and Tb(III) at room temperature.     

Dual-emissive complexes: Visible and near-infrared luminescence from bis-pyrenyl lanthanide(III) complexes

The syntheses and photophysical attributes of a range of dual-emissive lanthanide complexes are described. The simple ligand architecture is based upon a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) core and appended with two aminopyrenyl chromophores to yield the fluorescent free ligand L^pyr. Reaction of the ligand with Ln(tris-trifluoromethanosulfate) gave the mononuclear complexes Ln · L^pyr (Ln = Nd, Er, Yb). Luminescence studies revealed that the complexes were emissive in both the near-IR and UV–Vis, the latter resulting from pyrene localised emission (λ_em = 390 nm), the former from pyrene-sensitised emission of the lanthanide ion (λ_ex = 337 nm). Time-resolved measurements in the near-IR indicated that the number of coordinated solvent molecules for Nd and Yb was <1, confirming the proposed coordination mode of the octadentate L^pyr. The suitability of pyrene as a sensitiser for near-IR emitting lanthanides was further demonstrated in the rare observation of Er^III emission in a non-deuteriated protic medium.     

Simple one-pot sonochemical synthesis of copper sulphide nanoparticles for solar cell applications

Copper sulphide nanoparticles for solar cell applications were synthesized by a single step sonochemical method using copper acetate and thiourea as precursors. The effects of sonication time, ultrasonic bath temperature and annealing temperature on particle properties were studied. Synthesized particles were characterized using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction spectrophotometer and UV–visible spectrophotometer. The particles were found to be a mixture of chalcocite, covellite and djurleite. The optical band gap of the particles was found to be in the range of 1.6–2.1 eV. Heat treatment of the particles was found to give rise to needle shaped particles while a bath temperature of 55 °C yielded few nanoplates.     

Synthesis, structure and luminescence properties of lanthanide complex with a new tetrapodal ligand featuring salicylamide arms

A new tetrapodal ligand 1,1,1-tetrakis{[(2′-(2-furfurylaminoformyl))phenoxyl]methyl}methane (L) has been prepared and their coordination chemistry with Ln^III ions has been investigated. The structure of {[Ln₄L₃(NO₃)₁₂]·H₂O}_∞ (Ln=Nd, Eu)] shows the binodal 4,3-connected three-dimensional interpenetration coordination polymers with topology of a (8⁶)₃(8³)₄ notation. [DyL(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₂]·0.5CH₃OH and [ErL(NO₃)₃(H₂O) (CH₃OH)]·CH₃COCH₃ is a 1:1 mononuclear complex with interesting supramolecular features. The structure of [NdL(H₂O)₆]·3ClO₄·3H₂O is a 2:1 mononuclear complex which further self-assembled through hydrogen bond to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structures. The result presented here indicates that both subtle variation of the terminal group and counter anions can be applied in the modulation of the overall molecular structures of lanthanide complex of salicylamide derivatives due to the structure specialties of this type of ligand. The luminescence properties of the Eu^III complex are also studied in detail.     

Synthesis,structure and luminescence properties of two novel lanthanide complexes with 2-fluorobenzoic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline

Two lanthanide complexes with 2-fluorobenzoate (2-FBA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The structure of each complex contains two non-equivalent binuclear molecules, [Ln(2-FBA)₃?·?phen?·?CH₃CH₂OH]₂ and [Ln(2-FBA)₃?·?phen]₂ (Ln?=?Eu (1) and Sm (2)). In [Ln(2-FBA)₃?·?phen?·?CH₃CH₂OH]₂, the Ln³⁺ is surrounded by eight atoms, five O atoms from five 2-FBA groups, one O atom from ethanol and two N atoms from phen ligand; 2-FBA groups coordinate Ln³⁺ with monodentate and bridging coordination modes. The polyhedron around Ln³⁺ is a distorted square-antiprism. In [Ln(2-FBA)₃?·?phen]₂, the Ln³⁺ is coordinated by nine atoms, seven O atoms from five 2-FBA groups and two N atoms of phen ligand; 2-FBA groups coordinate Ln³⁺ ion with chelating, bridging and chelating-bridging three coordination modes. The polyhedron around Ln³⁺ ion is a distorted, monocapped square-antiprism. The europium complex exhibits strong red fluorescence from ⁵D₀?→?⁷F _j ( j?=?1–4) transition emission of Eu³⁺.     

Structure variation and luminescence properties of lanthanide complexes with 1,9-bis [2-(2′-picolylaminoformyl)-1,4,7,9-tetraoxadecane

Using 1,9-salicylamide bissubstituted oxadecane ligand, 1,9-bis [2-(2′-picolylaminoformyl)-1,4,7,9-tetraoxadecane (L), two novel lanthanide complexes have been prepared and well characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, TGA analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. {[PrL(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₂]·CH₃OH}_n is a 1D zigzag polymer with three-dimensional supramolecular structure formed by hydrogen bonds, while [EuL(NO₃)₃(H₂O)]_n is a linear coordination polymer and present an interesting supramolecular double chain, which are very different from the structure of terbium complex reported before. The result reported herein demonstrated that steric crowding associated with the decreasing lanthanide ion radius causes changes of the conformation of the ligand as well as structures. Luminescence studies for the Eu(III) complexes demonstrated that the salicylamide ligand also exhibits a good antennae effect for the Eu(III) ion due to efficient intersystem crossing and ligand-to-metal energy transfer and the Eu(III) ion is well shielded from the surrounding environment.     

Synthesis and characterization of photoluminescent In-doped CdSe nanoparticles

Indium-doped CdSe nanoparticles have been synthesized and characterized. Their light absorption, photoluminescence, and structure are similar to undoped CdSe nanoparticles. The greater part of the In associated with the nanoparticles is removed when the nanoparticles undergo ligand exchange by pyridine. As observed with undoped nanoparticles, a ZnS capping layer on the indium-doped nanoparticles results in enhanced nanocrystal photoluminescence. Also, the ZnS cap enhances the retention of In by the nanoparticles. Elemental analysis shows ligand exchange causes CdSe to be lost and capping with ZnS results in the loss of Se. We conclude that In-doped nanoparticles have most of the In on their surface, capping helps the nanoparticles retain the In, and they do not have altered electronic properties.     

Quantitative detection of well-based DNA array using switchable lanthanide luminescence

In this report a novel wash-free method for multiplexed DNA detection is demonstrated employing target specific probe pairs and switchable lanthanide luminescence technology on a solid-phase array. Four oligonucleotide capture probes, conjugated at 3′ to non-luminescent lanthanide ion carrier chelate, were immobilized as a small array on the bottom of a microtiter plate well onto which a mix of corresponding detection probes, conjugated at 5′ to a light absorbing antenna ligand, were added. In the presence of complementary target nucleic acid both the spotted capture probe and the liquid-phase detection probe hybridize adjacently on the target. Consequently the two non-luminescent label molecules self-assemble and form a luminescent mixed lanthanide chelate complex. Lanthanide luminescence is thereafter measured without a wash step from the spots by scanning in time-resolved mode. The homogeneous solid-phase array-based method resulted in quantitative detection of synthetic target oligonucleotides with 0.32 nM and 0.60 nM detection limits in a single target and multiplexed assay, respectively, corresponding to 3× SD of the background. Also qualitative detection of PCR-amplified target from Escherichia coli is described.     

Facile synthesis of photoluminescent ZnS and ZnSe nanopowders

The solid state thermal, one pot, efficient chemical reaction between Zn and S or Se elements in a closed reactor at 650 degrees C/60 min under their autogenic pressure in an inert atmosphere yielded luminescent ZnS and ZnSe semiconducting nanopowders (NPs). Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy measurements confirmed the size and shape of the as formed ZnS and ZnSe NPs. The wide size distributions of ZnS and ZnSe NPs are confirmed by UV-vis and TEM measurements. The crystalline wurtzite phase of ZnS and face centered cubic phase of ZnSe NPs is revealed from XRD and HR-TEM measurements. The obtained Raman scattering bands also supports the formation of pure ZnS and ZnSe phases. At room temperature, a strong visible green emission centered at approximately 525 nm is measured for ZnS, while ZnSe NPs showed a broad red emission band extending from 550 to 760 nm. The putative reaction mechanism is based on the low melting and boiling points of reactants (Zn, S and Se) under their autogenic pressure in an inert atmosphere.     

Systematic synthesis and characterization of single-crystal lanthanide orthophosphate nanowires

A simple hydrothermal method has been developed for the systematic synthesis of lanthanide orthophosphate crystals with different crystalline phases and morphologies. It has been shown that pure LnPO(4) compounds change structure with decreasing Ln ionic radius: i.e., the orthophosphates from Ho to Lu as well as Y exist only in the tetragonal zircon (xenotime) structure, while the orthophosphates from La to Dy exist in the hexagonal structure under hydrothermal treatment. The obtained hexagonal structured lanthanide orthophosphate LnPO(4) (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy) products have a wirelike morphology. In contrast, tetragonal LnPO(4) (Ln = Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y) samples prepared under the same experimental conditions consist of nanoparticles. The obtained hexagonal LnPO(4) (Ln = La --> Tb) can convert to the monoclinic monazite structured products, and their morphologies remained the same after calcination at 900 degrees C in air (Hexagonal DyPO(4) is an exceptional case, it transformed to tetragonal DyPO(4) by calcination), while the tetragonal structure for (Ho--> Lu, Y)PO(4) remains unchanged by calcination. The resulting LnPO(4) (Ln = La --> Dy) products consist almost entirely of nanowires/nanorods with diameters of 5-120 nm and lengths ranging from several hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers. Europium doped LaPO(4) nanowires were also prepared, and their photoluminescent properties were reported. The optical absorption spectrum of CePO(4) nanowires was measured and showed some differences from that of bulk CePO(4) materials. The possible growth mechanism of lanthanide phosphate nanowires was explored in detail. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, infrared absorption spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra have been employed to characterize these materials.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and characterization of four 2-D lanthanide coordination polymers with glutarate and 1,10-phenanthroline

Four 2-D coordination polymers Ln₂(phen)₂(C₅H₆O₄)₃ [Ln?=?Pr(1), Eu(2), Er(3), Yb(4), phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline] were obtained via hydrothermal reactions and determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structure data reveal that these complexes are isostructural. In the asymmetric unit, the two Ln(III) ions are nine-coordinate and have similar coordination environments. The Ln(III) ions are built into 2-D layers by three different coordination modes of glutarate. The resulting 2-D layer forms 3-D supramolecular architecture by two types of π···π stacking interactions. All the complexes were characterized by IR spectra and thermogravimetric analysis, and the emission spectrum shows that Eu₂(phen)₂(C₅H₆O₄)₃ possesses strong luminescence.     

Syntheses, structures, luminescence, and magnetism of four 3D lanthanide 5-sulfosalicylates

Four 3D lanthanide(III) complexes with 5-sulfosalicylic acid (H₃SSA) as bridging ligands, Ln(SSA)(H₂O)₂ [Ln=Ce(III) (1), Pr(III) (2), Nd(III) (3) and Dy(III) (4)], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, XRD and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray structural analysis reveals that isostructral complexes 1-4 possess 3D structures with 4⁶6⁴ topology. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit broad intraligand fluorescent emission bands. Complexes 3 and 4 not only display intraligand fluorescent emission bands, but also present Nd(III) characteristic emission in the near-IR region and sensitized luminescence of Dy(III) ions in the visible region, respectively. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 2-4 have been studied over the temperature range of 4-300 K.     

Ion size dominated 1D and 2D Salen lanthanide coordination complexes and their luminescence

Lewis acid/base addition between Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb and Lu) and H₂salen [H₂salen = N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)] gives rise to an array of coordination polymeric structures. Crystal structural analysis reveals that Salen effectively functions as a bridging ligand in these compounds. The size of the lanthanide ions controls the structures of these Salen lanthanide complexes. Two representative structures with one dimensional and two dimensional topologies, viz. [Pr(H₂salen)(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)₂]_n (1) and [Ln(H₂salen)_1.5(NO₃)₃]_n [Ln = Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Tb (6) and Lu (7)] are reported. Luminescent spectra of complexes 4 and 5 exhibit characteristic metal-centered emission lines. However, the characteristic luminescence of the terbium(III) ion is not observed either in solution or in the solid state of complex 6.     

Geometric and electronic structure of lanthanide orthophosphate nanoparticles determined with X-rays

The evolution of the geometric and electronic structures within the entire series of lanthanide orthophosphate nanoparticles ( approximately 2- approximately 5 nm) has been determined experimentally with X-ray diffraction and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. In particular, the interplay between electronic structure, crystal morphology, and crystal phase has been systematically studied. A missing local order in the crystal structure accompanied by multiple ion sites in the nanoparticles was revealed to be due to the small crystal size and large surface contribution. All lanthanide ions were found to be in "3+" configuration and accommodated in three different crystallization states: the larger lanthanide ions (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) in the monoclinic phase, the smaller ones (Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) in the tetragonal phase, and the intermediate lanthanide ions (Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) in a "mixed phase" between monoclinic and tetragonal phases.     

Facile synthesis of novel photoluminescent ZnO micro- and nanopencils

A single-step solvent-, catalyst-, and template-free synthesis process to prepare photoluminescent pencils of ZnO either in micro- or in nanosize diameters from a single precursor is demonstrated. The thermolysis of Zn's acetate dihydrate (ZAD) precursor in a closed stainless steel reactor at 700 degrees C under autogenic pressure (6.5 MPa), yielded carbon sphere-decorated ZnO micropencils (ZnO-M's). The ZnO-M's have novel room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) with well-defined emission peaks at the green, yellow, orange, and red regions of the visible spectra while suppressing the blue region. On the contrary, the thermolysis of ZAD in a closed stainless steel reactor at 700 degrees C with released pressure yielded uniformly carbon-coated ZnO nanopencils (ZN's). The coated carbon in ZN's quenches the complete UV-vis PL; however, after annealing ZN's at 600 degrees C/2 h in air, the UV PL is dominant, and the visible PL is suppressed. The carbon coating (partly or completely) on the one-dimensional (1D) ZnO surfaces plays an important role to modify PL properties. The insight into the reaction mechanism was gained through in situ mass spectrometry measurements. The as-prepared ZnO-M's and ZN's have been systematically characterized to determine their morphology, structure, and composition.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic and luminescent properties of unique 1D p-ferrocenylbenzoate-bridged lanthanide complexes

Treatments of p-ferrocenylbenzoate [p-NaOOCH₄C₆Fc, Fc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)] with Ln(NO₃)₃·nH₂O afford seven p-ferrocenylbenzoate lanthanide complexes {[Ln(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n [Ln=Ce (1), Pr (2), Sm (3), Eu (4), Gd (5), Tb (6) and Dy (7)]. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the isomorphous complexes {[Ce(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n (1) and {[Pr(OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc)₂(H₂O)₂](H₃O)}_n (2) form a unique 1D double-bridged infinite chain structure bridged by μ₂-OOCH₄C₆Fc groups. Each Ln(III) ion adopts a dodecahedron coordination environment with eight coordinated oxygen atoms from two terminal monodentate coordinated FcC₆H₄COO⁻ units, two terminal monodentate coordinated H₂O molecules and four μ₂-⁻OOCH₄C₆Fc units. The luminescent spectra reveal that only 4 and 6 exhibit characteristic emissions of lanthanide ions, Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions, respectively. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 5 and 7 suggest that a ferromagnetic coupling between spin carriers may exist in 5.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of monocrystalline cubic ZrO2 nanoparticles

Crystalline ZrO₂ nanoparticles were prepared from zirconium isopropoxide by slow hydrolysis and subsequent hydrothermal treatment of solutions containing various amounts of sodium hydroxide at 180 °C. Whereas moderately basic solutions lead to the formation of nanoparticles of monoclinic ZrO₂ with plate-like morphology, and nanoparticles of the cubic ZrO₂ high-temperature polymorph with diameters of approx. 5 nm were obtained from strongly basic solutions. The morphology, structure and properties of as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using HRTEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, UV–vis, PL spectroscopy and BET measurements. The formation of both, the monoclinic and the cubic polymorph, was confirmed by electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The crystallinity and morphology of the resulting ZrO₂ nanoparticles can be adjusted by the choice of the reaction conditions. The cubic ZrO₂ nanoparticles have a high surface area (300 m²/g) and exhibit a strong photoluminescence in the UV region.