Spectroscopic studies on the luminescence properties of ternary europium complexes with different ligands

In this paper, ligand effect of several bi-dental oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) ligands on the red luminescence properties of europium ion (Eu3+) was studied comprehensively. Absorption, emission, and excitation spectral properties of ternary europium complexes with different combinations of ligands including thenoyl trifluoroacetone (TTA), naphthyl trifluoroacetone (NTA), 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) and phenanthroline (Phen) were investigated. Efficient Eu3+ red emission was observed with all the combinations of the above mentioned ligands. The most intense emission was found with the all nitrogen coordinated complex Eu(bpy)2(Phen)2 while the longest wavelength excitation band was recorded with oxygen–nitrogen mixed NTA–bpy complex Eu(NTA)1(bpy)3. With change of the ligands combination and ratio, the Eu3+ emission peak changes slightly from 612 to 618 nm. The absorption and excitation spectra of the europium complexes were compared and analyzed referring to the individual absorption spectral properties of the ligands. The relation between ligand-to-metal charge transfer states and luminescence intensities for different complexes was studied.