Synthesis and Fluorescence Properties of a Terbium Complex with Ferrocenylazobenzoic Acid in Nanoparticles

Abstract

Tb (AUFA)32H2O, a rare earth terbium complex,was synthesized by introducing 4-(11-azobenzene-undecyloxy) ferrocene acid (AUFA) as the ligand. This complex was characterized by elemental analysis, MS, IR, Raman, UV spectroscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The complex exhibited ligand-sensitized green emission, and Tb (AUFA)32H2O had a higher sensitized luminescence efficiency and a longer lifetime than the other terbium complexes (DPC: 2, 6-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid, Aspirin: 2-ethanoylhydroxybenzoic acid). The organic-inorganic thin film of complexe Tb (AUFA)32H2O in nanoTiO2 was fabricated, and the nanoTiO2 has been used in the luminescence layer to change the luminescence property of complexes Tb (AUFA)32H2O. It was found that there was an efficient energy transfer process between the ligands and metal ions. Moreover, In an ITO/PVK/Tb (AUFA)32H2O/Al device, Tb3+ may be excited by intramolecular energy transfer from the ligand, as observed by electroluminescence. The main emitting peak at 545 nm can be attributed to the 5D4→7F5 transition of the Tb3+ ion, and this process results in the enhancement of the green emission from the electroluminescence device.