A homogeneous distribution of luminescent lanthanide(III) 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate complexes (Ln ) Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) in an organic-inorganic hybrid material was obtained by grafting the complexes to the solid matrix via 2-substituted imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline moieties. Thin films of the silica hybrid material were prepared by the sol-gel method and by spin-coating of the gelating solution on glass slides or on oxidized silicon wafers. The thickness of the thin films was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). High-resolution luminescence spectra of the lanthanide complexes were recorded, and the luminescence decay times were measured. The luminescence quantum yields of europium(III)-doped thin films exposed to different drying conditions were determined by using an integrating sphere.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.