Preparation,Characterization and Luminescence Study of Chitosan Membrane and Powder Forms with Eu3 + and Tb3 +

Chitosan membranes with trivalent lanthanide ion Eu^{3 +} were prepared at a ratio of 3:1 w/w (chitosan:lanthanide). There was no membrane formation at a ratio of 1:1 w/w (chitosan: Eu^{3 +} or Tb^{3 +}); in this case a white solid powder was obtained. Both chitosan compounds were characterized by elemental analysis (CHN), thermal analysis (TG/DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and luminescence spectroscopy. CHN analysis was performed only for chitosan compounds in powder form, suggesting that these compounds have the general formula QUILn.6H₂O, where QUI = Chitosan and Ln = Eu^{3 +} or Tb^{3 +}. The results of TG/DTG curves for chitosan membranes with Eu^{3 +} ion indicate that the introduction of this metal into the chitosan structure causes gradual degradation in residual carbons, showing lower weight loss in the Eu^{3 +} membranes compared to pure chitosan membrane. Analysis of luminescence demonstrated that chitosan membranes with Eu^{3 +} ion exhibit emission in the visible region, showing emission bands from chitosan and Eu^{3 +} moieties. For chitosan with Eu^{3 +} and Tb^{3 +} ions compounds, in powder form, the analysis of luminescence suggested that chitosan is not transferring energy to the lanthanide ion; however, the chemical region where the lanthanide ion is found breaks the selection rules and favors the emission of these ions.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of spherical bridged polysilsequioxanes activated by lanthanide ions

Luminescent microspherical bridged polysilsequioxane were prepared by heating the mixture of lanthanide ions (EuCl₃ or TbCl₃) and bis-silylated bipyridine having dual roles, i.e. the bipyridine moieties can sensitize the luminescence of Eu³⁺ (or Tb³⁺) ions and the alkoxysilane substituent can be hydrolyzed and condensed via sol–gel process to create inorganic silica framework. The obtained microspheres were systematically investigated by IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, absorption spectroscopy, PL excitation and emission spectroscopy. IR spectra indicate that the silylated bipyridine has been hydrolyzed under the reaction conditions. SEM images show the microspherical morphology of the luminescent materials. It has been confirmed that the strong luminescence of the spherical bridged polysilsequioxanes is due to the effective energy transfer from the silylated bipyridine to the chelated lanthanide ions.     

Lanthanide(III)‐Based Multicolor Luminescent Hybrid Gel for Amine Sensing

Bridged polysilsesquioxanes (BPs) show great potential in the development of lanthanide‐based luminescent materials, owing to their capacity to loading lanthanide complexes with high concentration and their flexible processability. A novel BP precursor, consisting of a C ₃‐symmetrical benzene central core moiety, capable of sensitizing the luminescence of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ is reported. Tunable, full‐color luminescent gels were facilely prepared by mixing the as‐synthesized precursor and Ln³⁺ ions in appropriate solvents. By either changing the Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ molar ratio or altering the excitation wavelength, the emission colors of the final gels can be finely tuned. Additionally, the yellow‐colored emissive gel with a molar ratio of Eu³⁺ to Tb³⁺ of 0.5 can be used as an effective ratiometric luminescent sensor for distinguishing amines with lower pK _a (<5) from those with higher pK _a (>9).     

3‐Mercapto‐2,6‐Pyridinedicarboxylic Acid: A Small Lanthanide‐Binding Tag for Protein Studies by NMR Spectroscopy

Paramagnetic effects from lanthanide ions present powerful tools for protein studies by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provided that the lanthanide can be site‐specifically and rigidly attached to the protein. A new, particularly small and rigid lanthanide‐binding tag, 3‐mercapto‐2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid (3MDPA), was synthesized and attached to two different proteins via a disulfide bond. The complexes of the N‐terminal domain of the E. coli arginine repressor (ArgN) with seven different paramagnetic lanthanide ions and Co²⁺ were analyzed in detail by NMR spectroscopy. The magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (Δχ) tensors and metal position were determined from pseudocontact shifts. The 3MDPA tag generated very different Δχ tensor orientations compared to the previously studied 4‐mercaptomethyl‐DPA tag, making it a highly complementary and useful tool for protein NMR studies.     

Effect of SnO2 Nanocrystals on the Emission of Eu3+ Ions in Silica Matrix

Silica xerogels containing Eu³⁺ ions and SnO₂ nanocrystals were prepared in the sol‐gel process, and characterized by x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence spectra. Under the excitation at 393 nm, characteristic emission of Eu³⁺ ions at 614 nm was enhanced with increasing amount of SnO₂ nanocrystals. Moreover, when the Eu³⁺/SnO₂ co‐doped samples were excited at 345 nm, corresponding to the sideband of SnO₂ nanocrystals, the emission of Eu³⁺ ions at 614 nm was clearly observed, while no emission of Eu³⁺ ions for the Eu³⁺‐doped sample. It may be ascribed to the energy transfer from SnO₂ conduction band to Eu³⁺ conduction band. Further experimental results suggest that the energy transfer may be achieved through surface transition state.     

Constructing Interfacial Energy Transfer for Photon Up‐ and Down‐Conversion from Lanthanides in a Core–Shell Nanostructure

We report a new mechanistic strategy for controlling and modifying the photon emission of lanthanides in a core–shell nanostructure by using interfacial energy transfer. By taking advantage of this mechanism with Gd³⁺ as the energy donor, we have realized efficient up‐ and down‐converted emissions from a series of lanthanide emitters (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, and Sm³⁺) in these core–shell nanoparticles, which do not need a migratory host sublattice. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the Gd³⁺‐mediated interfacial energy transfer, in contrast to energy migration, is the leading process contributing to the photon emission of lanthanide dopants for the NaGdF₄@NaGdF₄ core–shell system. Our finding suggests a new direction for research into better control of energy transfer at the nanometer length scale, which would help to stimulate new concepts for designing and improving photon emission of the lanthanide‐based luminescent materials.     

Luminescence and energy transfer in a highly symmetrical system: Eu2Ti2O7

Luminescence and energy transfer properties of Gd₂Ti₂O₇: Eu and Eu₂Ti₂O₇ are reported. Transfer between unperturbed (intrinsic) Eu³⁺ ions and perturbed (extrinsic) Eu³⁺ ions has been observed. At low temperatures the emission spectra of Eu₂Ti₂O₇ are dominated by trap emission, due to direct energy transfer from the intrinsic Eu³⁺ ions to the extrinsic Eu³⁺ ions. Above 10 K energy migration among the Eu³⁺ ions to quenching centers occurs. The interaction between the Eu³⁺ ions is probably exchange in character. The nature of the extrinsic Eu³⁺ ions has been elucidated.     

Multibubble sonoluminescence of europium(III) chloride in heavy water

A weak glow in the region of the Eu³⁺ photoluminescence spectrum was detected against the background of the continuum of the solvent emission during multibubble sonolysis of air- or argon-saturated EuCl₃ solutions (0.1 mol L⁻¹) in heavy water. No characteristic sonoluminescence of the europium ion in aqueous solutions was observed earlier. Possible reasons for the low yield of Eu³⁺ sonoluminescence compared with other lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) are discussed and the influence of europium on the spectrum of the solvent continuum related, in particular, to quenching of the electron-excited sonolysis products H₂O* (D₂O*) and Eu³⁺* in electron transfer reactions. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1793–1796, September, 2008.     

Li2O-Ln2O3-SiO2:Eu3+,Bi3+体系的结构

采用ｓｏｌ－ｇｅｌ法合成了系列发光体Ｌｉ２Ｏ－Ｌｎ２Ｏ３－ＳｉＯ２：Ｅｕ＾３＾＋，Ｂｉ＾３＾＋，并确定了发光体的物相结构。当Ｌｎ＾３＾＋＝Ｙ＾３＾＋和Ｌｎ＾３＾＋＝Ｌａ＾３＾＋时，紫外光激发下Ｅｕ＾３＾＋的发射分别以红光和橙光为主，只存在一种Ｅｕ＾３＾＋发光中心；Ｌｎ＾３＾＋＝Ｇｄ＾３＾＋时，至少存在两种Ｅｕ＾３＾＋发光中心和两种Ｂｉ＾３＾＋发光中心（共掺杂Ｅｕ＾３＾＋，Ｂｉ＾３＾＋的吸收和发射所     

Synthesis of New LnxBi2–xSe3 (Ln: Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Tb3+) Nanomaterials and Investigation of Their Optical Properties

New Ln_xBi_2–xSe₃ (Ln: Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺) based nanomaterials were synthesized by a co‐reduction method. Powder XRD patterns indicate that the Ln_xBi_2–xSe₃ crystals (Ln = Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, x = 0.00–0.44 and Ln = Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, x = 0.00–0.50) are isostructural with Bi₂Se₃. The cell parameter c decreases for Ln = Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺ upon increasing the dopant content (x), while a slightly increases. Changes in lattice parameters could be related to the radii of cations. SEM images show that doping of the lanthanide ions in the lattice of Bi₂Se₃ generally results in nanoflowers. For the terbium compound two kinds of morphologies (nanoflowers and nanobelts) were observed. UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy reveals mainly electronic transitions of the Ln³⁺ ions. Emission spectra show intense transitions from the excited to the ground state of Ln³⁺ and energy transfer from the Bi₂Se₃ lattice. Emission spectra of europium‐doped materials, in addition to the characteristic red emission peaks of Eu³⁺, show an intense blue emission band centered at 432 nm, originating from the 4f⁶5d¹ to 4f⁷ configuration in Eu²⁺. EPR measurements confirm the existence of Eu²⁺ in the materials. Interestingly, for all samples starting at low Ln³⁺ concentration, the emission intensity rises to a maximum at a Ln³⁺ concentration of x = 0.2 and falls again steadily to a minimum at x = 0.45.     

Regulating synthesis and photochromic behavior via interfacial Eu3+/Eu2+-Pb0/Pb2+ redox of the CsPbCl1.5Br1.5@ Ca0.9Eu0.1MoO4 porous composites

Halogen vacancies are regarded to play a vital role in photo-induced phase segregation and the resulting switchable emission colors in the soft mixed-halide perovskites; however, its control strategy via the balanced Pb⁰ defects remains a big challenge. The research reports the regulation of synthesis and photochromic behavior via interfacial Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺-Pb⁰/Pb²⁺ redox in composites of porous Ca_0.9Eu_0.1MoO₄ and nominal mixed-halide perovskite CsPbCl_1.5Br_1.5. The composite takes full advantage of Eu³⁺ ions with the concerns of its luminescence and variable valences. It provides an additional emission color besides the halide perovskite, manipulates the Pb⁰ defects and the resulting Br-rich domain via interfacial redox reaction in the composites. The more contents of surfaced Eu³⁺ caused by substituting the unequivalent Ca²⁺ ions and the high volume-to-surface ratio of the porous Ca_0.9Eu_0.1MoO₄ guarantees the interfacial access for the Eu³⁺ and the halides. The research provides some perspectives on the regulation of ionic valence and photoluminescence of halide perovskites with the use of lanthanide ions. The composites may find potential applications in the anti-counterfeiting field.     

Photophysical Properties of Sol–gel derived Luminescent Silicone Hybrids Synthesized via Facile Amino‐Ene Reaction

Novel luminescent silicone hybrids (LSHs) containing lanthanide ions were prepared via different sol–gel processes. The precursor, dimethyl ester‐functionalized silane, was synthesized via a facile amino‐ene reaction. The coordinated assembly of the ester ligands and lanthanide ions (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺) occurred. The ester ligands were immobilized onto the Si‐O network backbone during the preparation of the silicone hybrid materials. The particle size can be controlled to ca 50 nm by adjusting the solvent ratio. The obtained materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), ¹³C NMR, ²⁸Si NMR, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high‐resolution scanning electronic microscopy and luminescent (excitation and emission) spectroscopy. The coordination state and photophysical performance of the compounds were studied in detail. The terbium‐ and europium‐containing materials show sharp green and red emissions, respectively, which indicate that efficient intramolecular energy transfer took place in these LSHs.     

Three Lanthanide Metal‐Organic Frameworks Based on an Ether‐Decorated Polycarboxylic Acid Linker: Luminescence Modulation,CO2 Capture and Conversion Properties

Three new isostructural 3D lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (Ln‐MOFs), {H[LnL(H₂O)]?2 H₂O}_n ( 1‐Ln ) (Ln=Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺ and Tb³⁺), based on infinite lanthanide‐carboxylate chains were constructed by employing an ether‐separated 5,5′‐oxydiisophthalic acid (H₄L) ligand under solvothermal reaction. 1‐Eu and 1‐Tb exhibit strong red and green emission, respectively, through the antenna effect, as demonstrated through a combination of calculation and experimental results. Moreover, a series of dichromatic doped 1‐Eu_xTb_y MOFs were fabricated by introducing different concentrations of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions, and they display an unusual variation of luminescent colors from green, yellow, orange to red. 1‐Eu with channels decorated by ether O atoms and the open metal sites displays good performance for CO₂ capture and conversion between CO₂ and epoxides into cyclic carbonates.     

Ultraviolet 5H3 and visible 5DJ luminescence of europium(III)co-doped with cerium (III) in hexagonal NaGdF4

The luminescence of NaGdF₄:Ce,Eu has been investigated. After excitation of Ce³⁺ ions at room temperature, energy transfer to the Gd³⁺ions occurs, followed by migration over this sublattice to the Eu³⁺ions, resulting mainly in Eu³⁺ emission. At liquidhelium temperatures mainly Gd³⁺⁶P trap emission is observed. The Eu³⁺ emission in this system is remarkable, because ultraviolet Eu³⁺ emission (⁵H₃-⁷F_J) is observed alongside the normal ⁵D_J emission in the visible region.     

Synthesis and trivalent lanthanide ion complexation studies of new macrocyclic receptors based lactam ionophores

This study is the first report on the design, synthesis and photophysical properties of three new macrocyclic receptors based receptors containing two amide bridges. Their binding properties towards trivalent lanthanide ions such as La³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ were investigated by using spectroscopic techniques. With respect to emission intensity changes upon trivalent lanthanide ion complexation, macrocyclic receptors based lactam ionophores showed higher selectivity towards Yb³⁺ and/or Er³⁺ ion over other ions. Presence of proximal two amide groups in macrocyclic lactam receptors having different cavity size were observed to play an important role in exhibiting its lanthanide ion binding.     

A New Mode of Energy Transfer between Mn2+ and Eu2+ in Nitride‐Based Phosphor SrAlSi4N7 with Tunable Light and Excellent Thermal Stability

In this work, reciprocal energy transfer between Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions in nitride SrAlSi₄N₇ has been found and investigated in detail. In contrast to Mn²⁺‐ and Eu²⁺‐activated oxide‐based phosphors, the red light centered at 608 nm is ascribed to 4f–5d transitions of Eu²⁺ ions and Mn²⁺‐activated SrAlSi₄N₇ emits a cyan light peaking at 500 nm. Additionally, the special broad excitation band of SrAlSi₄N₇:Mn²⁺ centered at 362 nm has been covered by that of Eu²⁺ ions ranging from 300 to 550 nm. The overlap of the energy level of Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions creates the conditions for reciprocal energy transfer between Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions. A series of SrAlSi₄N₇:0.002 Mn²⁺,xEu²⁺ (0≤x≤005) with tunable light emission have been synthesized and the decay curves of samples prove the reciprocal occurrence of the energy transfer between Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions. This mode of energy transfer not only prevents the loss of energy, but also improves the thermal stability, and the intensity of SrAlSi₄N₇:Mn²⁺,Eu²⁺ at 150 °C is still beyond 92 % of the initial intensity. The results provide a new mode of energy transfer, which is expected to reduce the drawbacks existing in energy transfer.     

Photophysical Properties of Lanthanide (Eu3+, Tb3+) Hybrid Soft Gels of Double Functional Linker of Ionic Liquid–Modified Silane

Four kinds of luminescent hybrid soft gels have been assembled by introducing the lanthanide (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺) tetrakis β‐diketonate into the covalently bonded imidazolium‐based silica through electrostatic interactions. Here, the imidazolium‐based silica matrices are prepared from imidazolium‐derived organotriethoxysilanes by the sol–gel process, in which the imidazolium cations are strongly anchored within the silica matrices while anions can still be exchanged following application for functionalization of lanthanide complexes. The photoluminescence measurements indicated that these hybrid soft gels exhibit characteristic red and green luminescence originating from the corresponding ternary lanthanide ions (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺). Further investigation of photophysical properties reveals that these soft gels have inherited the outstanding luminescent properties from the lanthanide tetrakis β‐diketonate complexes such as strong luminescence intensities, long lifetimes and high luminescence quantum efficiencies.     

Laser spectroscopic study of multiple Eu3+ sites and their crystal fields in YAlG crystals

Resonance fluorescence spectra are excited from a single crystal of curopium doped yttrium aluminum garnet. An analysis from the energy spectrum shows that the spectra are due to trivalent europuim ions occupying two different sites in the unit cell and a crystal field analysis reveals that these ions at these sites experience fields of orthorhombic and axial symmetry. The former is that expected if Eu³⁺ replaces the Y³⁺ at the orthorhombic d sites, the latter if the lanthanide ion replaces the Al³⁺ ions at the a sites (with a distorted C_3i symmetry), there are indications that Eu³⁺ prefers the a over the d sites.     

Photo-modulated wide-spectrum chromism in Eu3+ and Eu3+/Tb3+ photochromic coordination polymer gels: application in decoding secret information

Photo-switching emission of photochromic materials has paramount importance in the field of optoelectronics. Here, we report synthesis and characterization of a dithienylethene (DTE) based photochromic low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) and self-assembly with lanthanide (Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺) ions to form a photochromic coordination polymer gel (pcCPG). Based on DTE ring opening and closing, the TPY-DTE gel shuttles from pale-yellow coloured TPY-DTE-O to dark blue coloured TPY-DTE-C and vice versa upon irradiating with UV and visible light, respectively, and both the photoisomers show distinct optical properties. Furthermore, integration of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ lanthanides with TPY-DTE resulted in red and green emissive Eu-pcCPG (Q.Y. = 18.7% for the open state) and Tb-pcCPG (Q.Y. = 23.4% for the open state), respectively. The photoisomers of Eu-pcCPG exhibit photo-switchable spherical to fibrous reversible morphology transformation. Importantly, an excellent spectral overlap of the Eu³⁺ centred emission and absorption of DTE in the closed form offered photo-switchable emission properties in Eu-pcCPG based on pcFRET (energy transfer efficiency >94%). Further, owing to the high processability and photo-switchable emission, the Eu-pcCPG has been utilized as invisible security ink for protecting confidential information. Interestingly, mixed Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ pcCPG exhibited photo-modulated multi-spectrum chromism reversibly where the colour changes from yellow, blue, and red to green and vice versa under suitable light irradiation.

A lanthanide based photochromic coordination polymer gel (pcCPG) material has been developed which showed photomodulated colour change based on pcFRET and has the potential to be employed for decoding secret information.     

Spectroscopic Investigation of the Europium(3+) Ion in a New ZnY4W3O16 Matrix

A new Zn and Eu tungstate was characterized by spectroscopic techniques. This tungstate, of the formula ZnEu₄W₃O₁₆, crystallized in the orthorhombic system and was synthesized by a solid‐state reaction. It melts incongruently at 1330°. The luminescent properties, including excitation and emission processes, luminescent dynamics, and local environments of the Eu³⁺ ions in ZnEu₄W₃O₁₆ and ZnY₄W₃O₁₆ : Eu³⁺ diluted phases (1, 5, and 10 mol‐% of Eu³⁺ ion) were studied basing on the f⁶‐intraconfigurational transitions in the 250–720 nm spectral range. The excitation spectra of this system (λ_em 615 and 470 nm) show broad bands with maxima at 265 and 315 nm related to the ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer (LMCT) states. The emission spectra under excitation at the O→W (265 nm) and O→Eu³⁺ (315 nm) LMCT states present the blue‐green emission bands. The emission of tungstate groups mainly originate from the charge‐transfer state of excited 2p orbitals of O^2? to the empty orbitals of the central W⁶⁺ ions. On the other hand, in the emission of the Eu³⁺ ions, both the charge transfer from O^2? to Eu³⁺ and the energy transfer from W⁶⁺ ions to Eu³⁺ are involved. The emission spectra under excitation at the ⁷F₀→⁵L₆ transition of the Eu³⁺ ion (394 nm) of ZnY₄W₃O₁₆ : Eu³⁺ diluted samples show narrow emission lines from the ⁵D₃, ⁵D₂, and ⁵D₁ emitting states. The effect of the active‐ion (Eu³⁺) concentration on the colorimetric characteristic of the emissions of the compound under investigation are presented.