Luminescence properties of ORMOSIL films doped with terbium complexes

Abstract

Luminescence properties of sol–gel SiO2–TiO2 ORMOSIL films doped with various terbium complexes were studied. 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate and tetraisopropyl-orthotitanate complexed with methacrylic acid were used as sol–gel precursors for film deposition. In situ rare earth complexation was performed through the direct incorporation of TbCl3 and 1,10-phenanthrolin (Phen), phthalic acid (Phta), or 2,2′-bipyridyl (Bipy) ligand in the sol–gel precursor solution. ORMOSIL coatings were deposited using the aerosol–gel process, which is an original deposition method based on the sol–gel polymerization of a liquid film produced from an ultrasonically sprayed aerosol. ORMOSIL films containing terbium complexes exhibited a strong green emission, which was intensified through post-treatment temperature optimization. The highest photoluminescence intensities were measured on films doped with Tb(Phen)3+ complex and heat treated at 150°C, while films doped with Tb(Bipy)3+ complex and heat-treated at the same temperature exhibited the longest lifetimes.