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.     

A potential red phosphor LiGd(MoO4)2:Eu for light-emitting diode application

Eu³⁺-doped LiGd(MoO₄)₂ red phosphor was synthesized by solid-state reaction, and its photoluminescent properties were measured. The effect of Eu³⁺ doping concentration on PL intensity was investigated, and the optimum concentration of Eu³⁺ doped in LiGd(MoO₄)₂ was found to be 30 mol%. Compared with Y₂O₂S:0.05Eu³⁺, Na_0.5Gd_0.5MoO₄:Eu³⁺ and KGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺, the LiGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ phosphor showed a stronger excitation band around 395 nm and a higher intensity red emission of Eu³⁺ under 395 nm light excitation. For the first time, intensive red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated by combining phosphor and a 395 nm InGaN chip, confirming that the LiGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ phosphor is a good candidate for LED applications.     

Double emitting phosphor NaSr4(BO3)3:Ce, Tb for near-UV light-emitting diodes

Blue and green double emitting phosphor, Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped NaSr₄(BO₃)₃, was synthesized in a weak reducing atmosphere by a conventional high temperature solid-state reaction technique. For comparison, Ce³⁺ or Tb³⁺ singly doped NaSr₄(BO₃)₃ was also prepared. The emission and excitation spectra of all samples have been investigated. NaSr₄(BO₃)₃:Tb³⁺ excitation includes a strong absorption at about 240 nm and some weak sharp lines in near-ultraviolet (n-UV) spectral region. The excitation of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped NaSr₄(BO₃)₃ shows a strong broad band absorption in the n-UV region from the contribution of Ce³⁺, which makes it suitable for excitation by a n-UV LED chip. The emission of NaSr₄(BO₃)₃:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ consists of a blue emission band from Ce³⁺ and a green emission from Tb³⁺ under the excitation of n-UV light. Energy transfer between Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ is also discussed, and the relative intensity of blue emission and green emission could be tuned by adjusting the concentration of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺. The phosphor NaSr₄(BO₃)₃:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ could be considered as a double emission phosphor for n-UV excited white light-emitting diodes.     

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.     

A red europium (III) ternary complex for InGaN-based light-emitting diode

One kind of europium (III) ternary complex was synthesized, and its photoluminescence properties were investigated. This complex exhibits broad excitation band in near-UV range, and strong red emission which is due to the ⁵D₀–⁷F_j transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. The luminescence quantum yield for the Eu³⁺ complex is 0.17. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms a high thermal stability of the complex with a decomposition temperature of 344 °C. All the characteristics indicate that the Eu³⁺ complex is a highly efficient red phosphor suitable to be excited by near UV light. An intense red light-emitting diode was fabricated by combining the europium (III) ternary complex with a ~395 nm-emitting InGaN chip.     

A potential reddish orange emitting phosphor Ca2BO3Cl:Eu for white light-emitting diodes

A series of phosphors Ca₂BO₃Cl:Eu³⁺ were synthesized by using a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique, and their UV–vis luminescence properties were investigated. The f–f transitions of Eu³⁺ in the host lattice were assigned and discussed. The excitation and emission spectra indicate that this phosphor can be effectively excited by ultraviolet (394 nm), and exhibit reddish orange emission corresponding to the ⁵D₀→⁷F_J (J=0, 1, 2) transitions of Eu³⁺. The influence of the doping concentration and charge compensators on the relative emission intensity of Eu³⁺ was investigated, and the optimum doping concentration is 0.04. The critical distance R_c was estimated to be 17.1 Å in terms of the concentration quenching data. The present study suggests that Ca₂BO₃Cl:Eu³⁺ can be a potential candidate as an UV-convertible phosphor for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs).     

Theoretical and experimental photophysical studies of the tris(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(1-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedionate) (2,2′-bipiridyl)-europium(III)

The complexes tris(4,4,4-Trifluoro-1-(1-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedionate) (2,2′-bipiridyl) Ln(III), Ln(tan)₃bipy, where Ln(III)=Eu³⁺ and Gd³⁺ have been synthesized, characterized and their photophysical properties (absorption, excitation and luminescence spectra and emission quantum yield) investigated down to 4.2 K. The Eu(tan)₃bipy complex has its molecular structure experimentally determined using X-ray crystallography and theoretically using the SMLC/AM1 method as well as their electronic singlet and triplet states were calculated, using the INDO/S-CI method with a point charge model to represent the Eu³⁺ ion, where two values were adopted, +3.0e and +3.5e, to investigate the imperfect shielding of the 4f shells. The so calculated +3.5e model electronic absorption spectrum and low lying triplet state energies agreed very well with the experimental ones. The emission quantum yield of the Eu³⁺ complex is quite low at room temperature, namely 7%, probably due to the too low lying triplet state, 19,050 cm^-1, and increases by a factor of three when the temperature is lowered to 4.2 K. This strong thermal effect indicates the presence of a channel deactivating the main emitting state, what can be due to a LMCT state possibly lying in the same spectral region, as usually found in Eu³⁺ compounds.     

A reddish orange-emitting stoichiometric phosphor K3Eu(PO4)2 for white light-emitting diodes

A series of Eu³⁺ activated K₃Y_1?xEu_x(PO₄)₂ phosphors were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. The structures and photoluminescent properties of these phosphors were investigated at room temperature. The results of XRD patterns indicate that these phosphors are isotypic to the monoclinic K₃Y(PO₄)₂ or K₃Eu(PO₄)₂. The excitation spectra indicate that these phosphors can be effectively excited by near UV (370–410 nm) light. The orange emission from transition ⁵D₀–⁷F₁ is dominant, and the peak value ratio of ⁵D₀–⁷F₁/⁵D₀–⁷F₂ is 1.44. The emission spectra exhibit strong reddish orange performance (CIE chromaticity coordinates: x=0.63, y=0.36), which is due to the ⁵D₀–⁷F_J transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. The relationship between the structure and the photoluminescent properties of the phosphors was studied. The absence of concentration quenching of Eu³⁺ was observed in K₃Y_1?xEu_x(PO₄)₂. K₃Eu(PO₄)₂ has potential application as a phosphor for white light-emitting diodes.     

KBaPO4:Ln (Ln=Eu, Tb, Sm) phosphors for UV excitable white light-emitting diodes

This letter reports the novel three emission bands based on phosphate host matrix, KBaPO₄ doped with Eu²⁺, Tb³⁺, and Sm³⁺ for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction and thermal stability was elucidated by measuring photoluminescence at higher temperatures. Eu²⁺-doped KBaPO₄ phosphor emits blue luminescence with a peak wavelength at 420 nm under maximum near-ultraviolet excitation of 360 nm. Tb³⁺-doped KBaPO₄ phosphor emits green luminescence with a peak wavelength at 540 nm under maximum near-ultraviolet excitation of 370 nm. Sm³⁺-doped KBaPO₄ phosphor emits orange-red luminescence with a peak wavelength at 594 nm under maximum near-ultraviolet excitation of 400 nm. The thermal stabilities of KBaPO₄:Ln (Ln=Eu²⁺, Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺), in comparison to commercially available YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor were found to be higher in a wide temperature range of 25-300 °C.     

Ca1−xMo1−ySiyO4:Eux: A novel red phosphor for white light emitting diodes

Single phase of Ca_1−xMo_1−ySi_yO₄:Eu_x³⁺ (0.18?x?0.26, 0?y?0.04) was synthesized by solid-state method. The photoluminescence investigation indicated that Ca_1−xMoO₄:Eu_x³⁺ (0.18?x?0.26) could be effectively excited by 393 and 464 nm, and it exhibited an intense red emission at 615 nm. The introduction of Si⁴⁺ ions did not change the position of the peaks but strongly enhanced the emission intensity of Eu³⁺ under 393 and 464 nm excitations and showed very good color purity. The emission intensity of optimal Ca_0.8Mo_0.98Si_0.02O₄:Eu_0.2³⁺ sample (excited by 393 nm) was about 5.5 times higher than that of the phosphor Y₂O₂S:0.05Eu³⁺. So this phosphor could be nicely suitable for the application of the UV LED chips.     

Luminescence properties of Eu3+ and Sm3+ coactivated Gd(III) tungstate phosphor for light-emitting diodes

Rare-earth ions coactivated red phosphors Gd_0.2RE_1.8(WO₄)₃ (RE=Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺) were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction using boric acid as a flux agent. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and luminescence spectrometer (LS). The results showed that the Eu–Sm system exhibits higher emission intensity than those of the Eu single-doped system and Sm separate-doped system under ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Samarium(III) ions are effective in broadening and strengthened absorptions around 400 nm. Furthermore, it exhibits enhanced luminescence emission. when the mole ratio of boric acid is about 0.16, the luminescence capability is optimum. Two strongest lines at ultraviolet (394 nm) and blue (465 nm) in excitation spectra of these phosphors match well with the output wavelengths of UV and blue GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) chips.     

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.     

A novel red-emitting phosphor Ca9Bi(PO4)7:Eu3+ for near ultraviolet white light-emitting diodes

Red phosphors Ca₉Bi_1-x(PO₄)₇:xEu³⁺ (x = 0.06, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, 0.80 and 1.00) were synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction (SSR) route. The X-ray diffraction patterns, photoluminescence spectra, ultraviolet–visible reflection spectroscopy, decay time and the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of these compounds were characterized and analyzed. The Eu-doped Ca₉Bi(PO₄)₇ phosphors exhibited strong red luminescence which peaks located at 615 nm due to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ electric dipole transition of Eu³⁺ ions after excitation at 393 nm. Ultraviolet–visible spectra indicated that the band-gap of Ca₉Bi_0.30(PO₄)₇:0.70Eu³⁺ is larger than that of Ca₉Bi(PO₄)₇. The results indicate that the phosphor Ca₉Bi_0.30(PO₄)₇:0.70Eu³⁺ can be a suitable red-emitting phosphor candidate for LEDs.     

Ordered luminescent nanohybrid thin films of Eu(BA)3Phen nanoparticle in polystyrene matrix from diblock copolymer self-assembly

A simple route for fabricating highly ordered luminescent thin films based on hybrid material of diblock copolymer and europium complex, assisted with self-organization of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) diblock copolymer upon solvent annealing, is presented. PS-b-PEO self-organized into hexagonal patterns and europium complex of Eu(BA)₃Phen was selectively embedded in PS blocks after solvent annealing in benzene or benzene/water vapor. During benzene annealing, the orientation of the PEO cylindrical domains strongly depended on the Eu(BA)₃Phen concentration. In contrast, when the hybrid thin films were annealed in mixture of benzene and water vapor, high degree of orientation of the PEO cylindrical domains is more easily obtained, which is independent of Eu(BA)₃Phen concentration. Furthermore, preferential interaction of PEO domains with water induces a generation of nanopores in the hybrid thin film. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the long-range lateral order and phase composition of the hybrid thin films. The ordered nanohybrid thin films kept the fluorescence property of Eu(BA)₃Phen and showed a strong red emission under the 254 nm light's irradiation. The fluorescence property was confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) spectra.     

A potential green-emitting phosphor Ca8Mg(SiO4)4Cl2:Eu for white light emitting diodes prepared by sol-gel method

A potential green emitting phosphor Ca₈Mg(SiO₄)₄Cl₂:Eu²⁺ was prepared by modified sol-gel method. The factors those affect the photoluminescence intensity including heating temperature, the usage of the chlorine source CaCl₂ and the concentration of dopant Eu²⁺ were also investigated in detail. As comparison, the phosphor prepared by solid-state reaction was also prepared. The phosphors show intense absorption in the range of 375-450 nm, which makes it a potential candidate of green emitting phosphor used for near-UV or blue light excited white LEDs.     

一种新型稀土配合物Eu(TTA)(2NH_2-Phen)_3的发光特性研究

合成了一种新型的稀土配合物Eu(TTA)(2NH_2-Phen)_3,将其作为掺杂物与基质聚乙烯基咔唑(PVK)按照不同质量比混合共溶,旋涂成膜.测量了混合薄膜的光致发光光谱,确认了所合成的Eu(TTA)(2NH_2H-Phen)_3具有发射荧光的能力,进而将其应用于电致发光器件中.还制备了以PVK:Eu(TTA)(2NH_2-Phen)_3为发光层,器件结构为ITO/PVK:Eu(TTA)(2NH_2-Phen)3/2,9-dimethy1-4,-diphenyl-1,10-plaenan thmline(BCP)/8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum(Alq_3)/Al的多层器件,得到了 Eu~(3+)的红色电敛发光.研究不同掺杂浓度时器件发光光谱的变化及PVK的发射光谱与Eu(TTA)(2NH_2-Phen)_3的吸收光谱的交叠情况,证明了混合薄膜中Eu~(3+)电致发光机理主要足载流子的直接俘获.     

VUV-UV excited luminescent properties of LnCa4O(BO3)3:RE (Ln=Y, La, Gd; Re=Eu, Tb, Dy, Ce)

Calcium lanthanide oxyborate doped with rare-earth ions LnCa₄O(BO₃)₃:RE³⁺ (LnCOB:RE, Ln=Y, La, Gd, RE=Eu, Tb, Dy, Ce) was synthesized by the method of solid-state reaction at high temperature. Their fluorescent spectra were measured from vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) to visible region at room temperature. Their excitation spectra all have a broadband center at about 188 nm, which is ascribed to host absorption. Using Dorenbos’ and Jφrgensen's work [P. Dorenbos, J. Lumin. 91 (2000) 91, R. Resfeld, C.K. Jφrgensen, Lasers and Excite States of Rare Earth [M], Springer, Berlin, 1977, p. 45], the position of the lowest 5d levels E(Ln,A) and charge transfer band E_ct were calculated and compared with their excitation spectra.Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions doped into LnCOB show efficient luminescence under VUV and UV irradiation. In this system, Ce³⁺ ions do not show efficient luminescence and quench the luminescence of Tb³⁺ ions when Tb³⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions are co-doped into LnCOB. GdCOB doped with Dy³⁺ shows yellowish white light under irradiation of 254 nm light for the reason that Gd³⁺ ions transfer the energy from itself to Dy³⁺. Because of the existence of Gd³⁺, the samples of GdCOB:RE³⁺ show higher excitation efficiency than LaCOB:RE³⁺ and YCOB:RE³⁺, around 188 nm, which indicates that the Gd³⁺ ions have an effect on the host absorption and can transfer the excitation energy to the luminescent center such as Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺.     

Combustion synthesis and luminescent properties of green-emitting phosphor (Sr, Zn) Al2O4: Eu2+, B3+ for white light emitting diodes (WLED)

In this study, the phosphors (Sr_1−x , Zn _x )_0.9(Al_2−y , B _y )O₄ doped 10 mol % Eu²⁺, were prepared by combustion method as the fluorescent material for white light emitting diodes (WLEDs), performing as a light source. The luminescent properties were investigated by changing the combustion temperature, the boron concentration, and the ratio of Sr to Zn. The luminescence, crystallinity and particle morphology were investigated by using a luminescence spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The highest intensity of Sr_0.9(Al_2−y , B _y )O₄: Eu_0.1²⁺ phosphor was achieved when the combustion temperature was 600° and the concentration of B³⁺ was 8 mol % of the aluminate. A new blue emission was observed when the high Zn concentration (x ⩾ 0.8), and this blue emission disappeared with the Zn concentration became lower than 0.8. The combustion method synthesized phosphor (Sr_0.6, Zn_0.4)_0.9(Al_1.92, B_0.08)O₄: Eu_0.1²⁺ showed 3.3 times improved emission intensity compared with that of the Sr_0.9(Al_1.92, B_0.08)O₄:Eu_0.1²⁺ phosphor under λ _ex = 390 nm.      

New red Y0.85Bi0.1Eu0.05V1−yMyO4 (M=Nb, P) phosphors for light-emitting diodes

The Y_0.85Bi_0.1Eu_0.05V_1−yM_yO₄ (M=Nb, P) as new near-ultraviolet excited phosphors were synthesized and their luminescence properties under 365 nm excitation were investigated in detail. It indicated that by doping small amount of P⁵⁺ into V⁵⁺ sites, the excitation intensity of charge transfer (CT) band of Bi–O (330–400 nm) was greatly improved. By substituting Nb⁵⁺ for V⁵⁺, both the CT bands of Bi–O and Eu–O (240–320 nm) were significantly enhanced. As a result, the emission intensity of Y_0.85Bi_0.1Eu_0.05V_1−yM_yO₄ (M=Nb, P) could be improved about 90% by doping 5 mol% P⁵⁺ and 110% by doping 5 mol% Nb⁵⁺. Comparing with the commercial Y₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ phosphors, the Y_0.85Bi_0.1Eu_0.05V_0.95M_0.05O₄ (M=Nb, P) phosphors exhibited excellent color purity and much higher brightness. The results showed that these Y_0.85Bi_0.1Eu_0.05V_1−yM_yO₄ (M=Nb, P) phosphors could be considered as promising red phosphors for application in LED.