Microwave synthesis and characterization of europium complexes with cinnamic acid and phenanthroline

We report here the synthesis and characterization of a host of Eu(Phen)L₃ with cinnamic acid (C₆H₅CH = CHCOOH, HL) and phenanthroline (Phen), and employing microwave radiation, where the microwave radiation is used just for the uniform heating of the reaction mixture. Its IR absorption spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fluorescence spectra were studied. The results show that the particles of Eu(Phen)L₃ phosphors are basically spherical in shape, with good dispersing. The mean particle size is 1–2 μm. The excitation spectrum is a broad band and the main peak is at 320.0 nm. Moreover, excitation peak at 396.0 nm was found in the excitation spectrum. The emission spectrum shows that Eu(Phen)L₃ has narrow emission peaks. The emission peaks are ascribed to Eu³⁺ ions transition from ⁵ D _J (J = 0) to ⁷ F _J (J = 1, 2, 4). However, the strongest main emission peak locates at 614.0 nm, which corresponds to the electric dipole transition of Eu³⁺(⁵ D ₀ → ⁷ F ₂) The article is published in the original.