Organic Lanthanide Crystals for Nano-Optics Studies

Abstract

Single crystals of Ln(NO3)3·Bpy2 where Ln = Eu, Gd, Nd, Tm, Er, La and Yb were fabricated and characterized. Materials have good optical quality, can be excited at UV or the rare earth ion transitions, demonstrate efficient luminescence and are suitable for thin film fabrication. Fabrication approaches and possible applications are discussed.

Transmission Spectra Analysis of Lanthanide Super Crystals for Application on Silicon Solar Cell Devices

“…Each Ln (NO3)3•(Byp)₂ single Eu³⁺ and Nd³⁺ crystals and X₀.₅(NO)₃X₀.₅ (NO)₃•(Byp)₂ super crystals Nd³⁺-Eu³⁺ amount proportional to the elements molecular weight were placed in separate vials and solved in ethanol to obtain 0.1 solution for each individual lanthanide element [3,4]. The amount of 2,2'-Dipyridyl was 0.2M solution was prepared in a separate vial.…”

“…The amount of 2,2'-Dipyridyl was 0.2M solution was prepared in a separate vial. After vial was placed into sonication for 30 minutes then each solution from the vials were poured into one beaker and mixed together [3,4]. Then the beaker was left for several days in different conditions which included high evaporation by RT, various concentrations of solvent, and seed crystal methods.…”

“…Then the beaker was left for several days in different conditions which included high evaporation by RT, various concentrations of solvent, and seed crystal methods. Then the crystals that were produced from seed crystal or evaporation method were observed under the optical microscope for characterization [3,4]. Light waves excited nanoparticles with UV light at (330nm), and Nd³⁺-Eu³⁺ crystals were upconverted (UC) by the two-photon mechanism at peaks (479nm), (514nm), (527 nm), (585nm) in the visible spectrum, and peak was excited at wavelength (741nm) in IR spectrum.…”

Effect of the Growth Conditions on Organic Crystals with Rare Earth Ions and 1,10-Phenanthroline

“…Materials with Eu 3+ ions are the most popular systems for such studies since Eu 3+ ions show a distinct and relatively strong MD transition 5 D 0 → 7 F 1 at 590 nm . Noticeable MD transitions are common for other ions: Gd 3+ ions have a 8 S 7/2 → 6 D 9/2 MD transition in the UV region at 253 nm, while some MD transitions contribute to infrared luminescence like that of Er 3+ , which has a 4 I 15/2 → 4 I 13/2 transition simulated to be around 1528 nm, and Tb 3+ possessing a 7 F 6 → 7 F 5 transition calculated to be a little over 5000 nm. , Eu­(NO 3 ) 3 (Bpy) 2 as a material has been extensively used in optical magnetism studies. ,,, It was also shown that it is possible to produce crystals with various ions and 2,2-bipyridine (Bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen). − The photoluminescent properties of these compounds depend on the crystal structure and the Ln/ligand reactant ratio. − This occurs when lanthanide nitrates are attached to a ligand and become polarized, resulting in an increase in absorption efficiency, modifications in energy gaps between the HOMO and LUMO, and more efficient excitation energy transfer from the ligand to the emitting ion . Hussain et al studied lanthanide nitrates grown with Bpy as the antenna ligand and explored their potential for use in optical studies.…”

“…As the literature suggests, organic crystals with rare earth are very sensitive to growth conditions. In ref typical sizes of crystals strongly varied depending on the ambient temperature during the crystal growth process. The shape of the crystals can be affected by the local environment as well .…”