White light emission from single dye incorporated metal organic framework

Abstract

A new strategy to achieve white light using host-guest interaction has been established very recently where metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) work as host and multi-fluorescent dye molecules are used as chromophore guests. Co-assembly of these MOFs and dye depend on the porosity presents in host molecule. In this regard, MOFs are very interesting materials as it may have strong luminescence and tunable pores. Despite a long and rich history of research, achieving a perfect white light using single component luminescent dye/molecule in the MOF remains an exciting area of investigation. Therefore, in the present work, a single red emitting dye Rhodamine B is occluded within the pores of blue emitting Gadolinium based MOF to achieve perfect white light. We have synthesized this material in two different ways, as ex-situ and in-situ. Surprisingly, after in-situ synthesis of the material, a new peak arises along with blue and red emission of MOF and Dye respectively. This new peak is originating due to the energy level mixing of MOF and Dye. Finally, we have achieved a perfect white light emitting material having Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) index (0.34, 0.33). Quantum yield of the emission is found to be 39.2% which is moderately good.