In targeting reduced valent lanthanide chalcogenides, we report the first nanoparticle synthesis of the mixedvalent ferromagnets Eu 3 S 4 and EuSm 2 S 4 . Using divalent lanthanide halides with bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfide and oleylamine, we prepared nanoparticles of EuS, Eu 3 S 4 , EuSm 2 S 4 , SmS 1.9 , and Sm 3 S 4 . All nanoparticle phases were identified using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy was used to confirm morphology and nanoparticle size, and magnetic susceptibility measurements for determining the ordering temperatures and valence. The UV/Vis, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies for each phase were compared. Surprisingly, the phase is influenced by the halide and the reaction temperature, where EuCl 2 formed EuS while EuI 2 formed Eu 3 S 4 , highlighting the role of kinetics in phase stabilization. Interestingly, at lower temperatures EuI 2 initially forms EuS, and converts over time to Eu 3 S 4 .
In targeting reduced valent lanthanide chalcogenides, we report the first nanoparticle synthesis of the mixedvalent ferromagnets Eu 3 S 4 and EuSm 2 S 4 . Using divalent lanthanide halides with bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfide and oleylamine, we prepared nanoparticles of EuS, Eu 3 S 4 , EuSm 2 S 4 , SmS 1.9 , and Sm 3 S 4 . All nanoparticle phases were identified using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy was used to confirm morphology and nanoparticle size, and magnetic susceptibility measurements for determining the ordering temperatures and valence. The UV/Vis, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies for each phase were compared. Surprisingly, the phase is influenced by the halide and the reaction temperature, where EuCl 2 formed EuS while EuI 2 formed Eu 3 S 4 , highlighting the role of kinetics in phase stabilization. Interestingly, at lower temperatures EuI 2 initially forms EuS, and converts over time to Eu 3 S 4 .
The luminescence properties of two divalent europium
complexes
of the type Eu[N(SPPh2)2]2(THF)2 (1) and Eu[N(SePPh2)2]2(THF)2 (2) were investigated. The
first complex, Eu[N(SPPh2)2]2(THF)2 (1), was found to be isomorphous with the reported
structure of complex 2 and exhibited room temperature
luminescence with thermochromic emission upon cooling. We found the
complex Eu[N(SePPh2)2]2(THF)2 (2) was also thermochromic but the emission
intensity was sensitive to temperature. Both room temperature and
low temperature (100 K) single crystal X-ray structural investigation
of 1 and 2 indicate geometric distortions
of the metal coordination, which may be important for understanding
the thermochromic behavior of these complexes. The trivalent europium
complex Eu[N(SPPh2)2]3 (3) with the same ligand as 1 was also structurally characterized
as a function of temperature and exhibited temperature-dependent luminescence
intensity, with no observable emission at room temperature but intense
luminescence at 77 K. Variable temperature Raman spectroscopy was
used to determine the onset temperature of luminescence of Eu[N(SPPh2)2]3 (3), where the 615
nm (5D0 → 7F2 transition)
peak was quenched above 130 K. The UV–visible diffuse reflectance
of 3 provides evidence of an LMCT band, supporting a
mechanism of thermally activated LMCT quenching of Eu(III) emitting
states. A series of ten isomorphous, trivalent lanthanide complexes
of type Ln[N(SPPh2)2]3 (Ln = Eu (3) Pr (4), Nd (5), Sm (6), Gd (7), Tb (8)) and Ln[N(SePPh2)2]3 (Ln = Pr (9), Nd (10, structure was previously reported), Sm (11), and Gd
(12) for Q = Se) were also synthesized and structurally
characterized. These complexes for Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, and Tb exhibited
room temperature luminescence. This study provides examples of temperature-dependent
luminescence of both Eu2+ and Eu3+, and the
use of soft-atom donor ligands to sensitize lanthanide luminescence
in a range of trivalent lanthanides, spanning near IR and visible
emitters.
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