Synthesis of (Sr0.85Zn0.15)3(PO4)2:Eu by a modified solid-state reaction and its luminescent properties for ultraviolet light emitting diodes

Using urea, boric acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as auxiliary reagents, the novel red emitting phosphors (Sr_0.85Zn_0.15)₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ have been successfully synthesized by a modified solid-state reaction. The material has potential application as a fluorescent material for ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). The dependence of the properties of (Sr_0.85Zn_0.15)₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ phosphors upon urea, boric acid and the PEG concentration and the quadric sintered temperature were investigated. The crystallization and particle sizes of (Sr_0.85Zn_0.15)₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ have been investigated by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Luminescent measurements showed that the phosphors can be efficiently excited by ultraviolet (UV) to visible region, emitting a red light with a peak wavelength of 616 nm. The results show that the boric acid, urea and the PEG were effective in improving the fluorescent intensity of (Sr_0.85Zn_0.15)₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ and the optimum molar ratio was 0.1, 8 and 0.021, respectively.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and photoluminescence of Zn–Ln heterometallic polymers based on pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid

Three new two-dimensional 3d–4f isostructural heterometallic coordination polymers, namely [Ln₂Zn(2,3-pydc)₄(H₂O)₄·4H₂O]_n (Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), 2,3-pydcH₂ = pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid) have been successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal reactions of Ln₂O₃, Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, H₂pydc and H₂O. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that they possess a 2D heterometallic framework containing 1D lanthanide chains based on dimeric [Ln(2,3-pydc)₂(H₂O)₂]₂ unit. The Zn(II) ion, which is six-coordinated by four oxygen and two nitrogen atoms from four 2,3-pydc²⁻ ligands, as a bridge, links the lanthanide chains to make the 1D chains further extend into 2D layer framework. Furthermore, the neighboring layers are assembled into three-dimensional supramolecular network through inter-layer O–HO and C–HO hydrogen-bond interactions. In addition, the solid-state luminescent property of complex 2 was investigated.     

Cyclometalated platinum(II) complex with C^N^N tridentate ligand as sensitizer for lanthanide luminescence

The preparation, characterization and photophysical properties of heterobinuclear complexes {Pt(C^N^N)(CCbpy)}Ln(hfac)₃ (C^N^N = 2-(6-(naphthalen-3-yl)-4-phenylpyridin-2-yl)pyridine; HCCbpy = 5-ethynyl-2,2′-bipyridine; Ln = Nd, Eu, Yb; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) are described. With excitation at 390  λ_ex  500 nm which is the MLCT/LLCT absorption region of the Pt(C^N^N)(CCbpy) chromophore, lanthanide luminescence is successfully attained by Pt → Ln energy transfer from the platinum(II) antenna chromophore to the lanthanide center across the bridging CCbpy ligand.     

Novel Polymeric Metal Complexes of 2,7-Bis[2-(2′-Pyridyl) Benzimidazole]- 9,9′-Dioctylfluorene with Cu(II)and Zn(II): Synthesis and Luminescence Properties

Abstract  A novel ligand, 2,7-bis[2-(2′-Pyridyl)benzimidazole]- 9,9′-dioctylfluorene (BPDOF) and its polymeric complexes with copper(II) and zinc(II) were successfully synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, FT-IR, elemental analysis, UV-vis, conductivity measurements and gel permeation chromatography. The UV–vis absorption, fluorescence spectra, and thermal properties of these complexes were investigated at room temperature. The experimental results show that polymeric metal complexes BPDOF-Cu(II) and BPDOF-Zn(II) emit purple/green luminescence at 430 and 509 nm in DMF solution and emit green luminescence at 495 and 527 nm in the solid state. Thermal properties measurement and analysis show that they have good thermal stabilities. Graphical Abstract  Synthesis route: 2,7-bis[2-(2′-Pyridyl) benzimidazole]- 9,9′-dioctylfluorene (BPDOF) was synthesized using 2-(2′-Pyridyl)benzimidazole and 2,7-dibromo-9,9′-dioctylfluorene by Ullmann condensation. Polymeric metal complexes of the corresponding were synthesized with CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, ZnCl₂.      

Pulsed-Laser-Induced Simple Synthetic Route for Tb3Al5O12:Ce3+ Colloidal Nanocrystals and Their Luminescent Properties

Cerium-doped Tb₃Al₅O₁₂ (TAG:Ce³⁺) colloidal nanocrystals were synthesized by pulsed laser ablation (PLA) in de-ionized water and lauryl dimethylaminoacetic acid betain (LDA) aqueous solution for luminescent bio-labeling application. The influence of LDA molecules on the crystallinity, crystal morphology, crystallite size, and luminescent properties of the prepared TAG:Ce³⁺ colloidal nanocrystals was investigated in detail. When the LDA solution was used, smaller average crystallite size, narrower size distribution, and enhanced luminescence were observed. These characteristics were explained by the effective role of occupying the oxygen defects on the surface of TAG:Ce³⁺ colloidal nanocrystal because the amphoteric LDA molecules were attached by positively charged TAG:Ce³⁺ colloidal nanocrystals. The blue-shifted phenomena found in luminescent spectra of the TAG:Ce³⁺ colloidal nanocrystals could not be explained by previous crystal field theory. We discuss the 5d energy level of Ce³⁺ with decreased crystal size with a phenomenological model that explains the relationship between bond distance with 5d energy level of Ce³⁺ based on the concept of crystal field theory modified by covalency contribution.     

Observation of broadband infrared luminescence in a novel Bi-doped P2O5-B2O3-Al2O3 glass

A novel Bi-doped P₂O₅-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃ glass was investigated, and strong broadband NIR (near infrared) luminescence was observed when the sample was excited by 445 nm, 532 nm, 808 nm and 980 nm lasers, respectively. The max FWHM with 312 nm, the lifetime with 580 μs and the σ_emτ product with 5.3 × 10^− 24 cm² s were obtained which indicates that this glass is a promising material for broadband optical amplifier and tunable laser. The effect of the introduction of B₂O₃ on the glass structure and Bi-ions illuminant mechanism were discussed and analyzed. It is suggested that the introduction of B₂O₃ makes the glass structure closer, and the broadband NIR emission derives from Bi⁰:²D_3/2 → ⁴S_3/2 and Bi⁺:³P₁ → ³P₀ transitions.     

Synthesis and characterization of cysteamine-CdTe quantum dots via one-step aqueous method

A novel approach has been developed to synthesize cysteamine (CA)-CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in an aqueous medium. Compared with previous reports, the proposed method involves a one-step synthesis using TeO₂ to replace Te or Al₂Te₃ as tellurium source. The influences of the precursor Cd/Te molar ratios and the pH of the original solution on the quantum yield (QY) of the obtained CdTe QDs were investigated systematically. Green- to orange-emitting CdTe QDs, with a maximum photoluminescence QY of 10.73%, were obtained. X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the crystalline structure and shape of the materials. CdTe QDs with CA modification exhibit a zinc-blended crystal structure in a sphere-like shape.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Eu-doped γ-Ca3(PO4)2

Eu³⁺-doped (1% and 3%) γ-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ was synthesized by high-pressure and high-temperature experimental method and the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The luminescence properties of samples were investigated by emission and excitation spectra. The excitation spectra of Eu³⁺-doped γ-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ showed that samples were mainly attributed to Eu³⁺–O²⁻ charge-transfer band at 270 nm, and some sharp lines were also attributed to Eu³⁺ f–f transitions in near-UV regions with the strongest peaks at 395 nm. Under the 395 nm excitation, the intense red emission peak at 611 nm was observed. The strongest line (395 nm) in excitation spectra of those phosphors matched well with the output wavelength of UV InGaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) chip. The luminescent properties suggested that Eu³⁺-doped γ-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ might be regarded as a potential red phosphor candidate for near-UV LEDs.     

Tuning photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanorods via surface modification

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a versatile material that has been used in photocatalysis, solar cells, chemical sensors, and piezoelectric transducers. All these are directly related to its surface properties. Here ZnO nanorod arrays were successfully synthesized by electrochemical deposition method, the surface of which was modified by dopamine, a robust anchor. Compared with pristine ZnO sample, the surface modification can greatly enhance the ultraviolet and visible-light photoluminescence. This is due to the formation of polydopamine on the nanorod surface, which may act as a dye that can be photoexcited. The resultant photogenerated electrons can inject into the conduction band of ZnO and take part in the luminescent process. These results may provide a foundation for real applications of ZnO nanomaterials in optoelectronic devices and, especially, for the applications in biological field as both the dopamine and ZnO are biocompatible materials.