Synchronous Temperature and Magnetic Field Dual‐Sensing by Luminescence in a Dysprosium Single‐Molecule Magnet

Abstract

Sensors are increasingly present in the everyday life in widespread technological applications, and engineering smart systems able to simultaneously detect different physical quantities represents a scientific challenge. Taking advantage of the molecular chemistry realm that offers the possibility to finely adjust physical properties, it is demonstrated herein that the luminescent single‐molecule magnet [Dy(acac)3(H2O)2]·H2O (acac = acetylacetonate) acts as a dual and synchronous thermometric/magnetic optical sensor in large ranges (10.0–180.0 K and up to ≈45 T) holding the promise to detect their variations in future devices.

Luminescence thermometry and field induced slow magnetic relaxation based on a near infrared emissive heterometallic complex

“…In the middle of the last decade, 1 an impressive outburst of interest occurred in the scientific community for light-emitting micro and/or nanomaterials acting as remote temperature sensors at nanoscale where classical thermometers failed to operate. [2][3][4][5][6] Since that time, many diverse scientific fields are influenced by luminescence thermometry such as in vivo and in vitro sensing in biomedicine, [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] magnetism, [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] catalysis, 28,29 and microelectronics. 30,31 In the field of molecular magnetism, 32,33 the phenomenon of luminescence in Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs) is of great importance for a detailed investigation of the underlying mechanisms of the magnetisation relaxation in mononuclear, dinuclear and/or heteronuclear lanthanide(III) complexes.…”

“…22,27 High resolution temperature dependent photoluminescence studies can, in principle, determine spectroscopically the Stark sublevels of the Ln(III) ions and provide a direct comparison with those derived from magnetic and theoretical ab initio studies. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][34][35][36][37][38] A promising and quite exciting research area is covering the phenomenon of SMM luminescence thermometry where the slow magnetic relaxation characteristics of the lanthanide are combined with its luminescence properties to provide the next generation of thermometers able to monitor temperature changes in real-time during the operation of the electronic device. 5,16,22 Replacing conventional contact-type thermometers with luminescent SMM-based devices seems to be the key to understanding: (a) the principles and laws of the heat generation in devices; and (b) the effective monitoring of the temperature during the operation of the device without perturbing the system.…”

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][34][35][36][37][38] A promising and quite exciting research area is covering the phenomenon of SMM luminescence thermometry where the slow magnetic relaxation characteristics of the lanthanide are combined with its luminescence properties to provide the next generation of thermometers able to monitor temperature changes in real-time during the operation of the electronic device. 5,16,22 Replacing conventional contact-type thermometers with luminescent SMM-based devices seems to be the key to understanding: (a) the principles and laws of the heat generation in devices; and (b) the effective monitoring of the temperature during the operation of the device without perturbing the system. 5 An ideal situation for an SMM luminescence thermometer is to provide an overlap of the two properties, magnetic and optical, in the working temperature offering the unique opportunity for monitoring the temperature in a contactless way at low temperatures in which the magnetic behaviour of the SMM molecule as well as spectral changes are revealed.…”

“…Another exciting feature of these devices is the optomagnetic sensitivity due to the conservation of the luminescent thermometer properties under the application of external magnetic fields. 15,16 It has been well documented that the derivatives of heterocyclic ligands bearing N-oxide functions sensitise efficiently the emission of Ln(III) ions upon UV radiation. 39,40 More explicitly, it was found that there is a profound influence of the 2,2′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide (bpyO 2 ) [40][41][42] ligand, replacing the two aqua ligand molecules, in the inner sphere of a Eu(III) complex [Eu(hfac) 3 (H 2 O) 2 ] where hfac − = hexafluoroacetylacetonate(−1) ligand.…”

“…In the middle of the last decade, 1 an impressive outburst of interest occurred in the scientific community for light-emitting micro and/or nanomaterials acting as remote temperature sensors at nanoscale where classical thermometers failed to operate. 2–6 Since that time, many diverse scientific fields are influenced by luminescence thermometry such as in vivo and in vitro sensing in biomedicine, 7–13 magnetism, 14–27 catalysis, 28,29 and microelectronics. 30,31…”