Modulation of Eu(III) and Yb(III) Luminescence Using a DTE Photochromic Ligand

Abstract

In this work, we show that a dithienylethene (DTE) modified dipicolinic amide ligand can be a versatile tool to modulate Eu(III) and Yb(III) luminescence using light as an external stimulus. The nature of the modulation depends on the lanthanide emitter: with the europium ion, the DTE ligand quenches the red luminescence upon ring closure, whereas with the ytterbium ion, ring closure can be used to turn on the luminescence in the NIR range.

Near-Infrared Photoluminescence and Reversible Trans-to-Cis Photoisomerization of Mononuclear and Binuclear Ytterbium(III) Complexes Functionalized by Azobenzene Groups

“…1−7 Integration of photochromic units with luminescent lanthanide components has potential applications in functional optoelectronic systems and biological imaging without optical interference. 8,9 For example, the combination of lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles and diarylethene photoswitches not only has optical memory applications but can also be modulated with near-infrared (NIR) light, offering new opportunities in photodynamic therapy. 10,11…”

Photo-modulated wide-spectrum chromism in Eu3+ and Eu3+/Tb3+ photochromic coordination polymer gels: application in decoding secret information

“…S8c † ). The reversible fast-photochromism in the TPY-DTE organogel as compared to previously reported DTE-based solid photochromic materials 49,61 could be attributed to its gelacious nature, which provides more space for facile structural changes during the photo reaction. 54 The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern of the TPY-DTE-GO showed a peak at 2 θ = 26.43°, corresponding to a d-spacing value of 3.36 Å which indicates the presence of π–π stacking in the self-assembly (Fig.…”

Efficient Luminescence Control in a Dithienylethene Functionalized Cyclen Macrocyclic Complex

“…Finally, we have addressed the possibility of sensitization by excitation at 600 nm, and unlike complex Yb-DTEc (Scheme 1) no ytterbium emission was detected in such case. 18 For both europium and ytterbium complexes, it is unclear whether the remaining emission after closing arises from the closed species or whether a PSS composition different from the one in DCM solutions at room temperature (95 % of closed units, no remaining oo isomer) is reached due to immobilization in a frozen organic glass.…”