Rare earth ions, their spectroscopy of cryptates and related complexes in sol–gel glasses

Abstract

A number of europium and terbium complexes were incorporated into glass films prepared by the sol–gel method. The selected films consisted of zirconium oxide, zirconium oxide-glymo and zirconium-silica-polyurethane (ZSUR). The short theory of rare earth spectra and their transition probabilities and non-radiative relaxations are outlined. Steady state and dynamic laser excited luminescence reveal an increase of the emission intensity of the complexed ions as a result of energy transfer from the ligands to the ions. The lifetimes of the emitting state 5D0 of europium and 5D4 of terbium increased in the complexed ion as a result of decrease of multiphonon relaxation by the shielding complex molecules. The method allows intensification of RE emission that cannot be achieved in the oxides of the ions. The findings allow preparation of highly fluorescent new materials.