MWO4 host matrices (M: Sr, Ba) doped with different Tm3+ concentrations (0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 mol%) have been successfully prepared by the coprecipitation method at room temperature. The as-prepared nanophosphors were characterized by infrared spectroscopy showing intense absorption bands in the range of 700-1000 cm-1 attributed to the symmetrical and asymmetrical stretching vibrations (ν) of the tetrahedral [WO4]2- group. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements reveal the tetragonal scheelite phase with the I41/a (No. 88) space group. The emission spectra of the MWO4:Tm3+ materials are dominated by the highest intensity narrow band of the intraconfigurational 1D2 → 3F4 transitions in the blue region (ca. 456 nm) arising from the Tm3+ ions. Additional low-intensity emission bands originated from the 1G4 → 3H6 (ca. 475 nm), 1G4 → 3F4 (660 nm) and 3H4 → 3H6 (700 nm) transitions are also observed. These optical results indicate that the materials can be used as an alternative to blue-emitting markers.

In this work, synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of trivalent rare earth complexes with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [the indomethacinate (indo), presenting formulas RE(indo)3(H2O)x (x = 3, for Eu3+ and Gd+3, and x = 4 for Tb+3), RE(indo)3(bipy) and RE(indo)3(phen) (bipy: 2,2'-bipyridine, and phen: 1,10-phenanthroline)] were investigated. Based on photoluminescent results, the intramolecular energy transfer process from T1 triplet states of indo, phen and bipy ligands to the 5D0 emitting level of the Eu3+ ion in the coordination compounds is discussed. Accordingly, it is proposed two possible intramolecular energy transfer mechanisms between indomethacinate ligand and rare earth ions, which involve the participation of excited electronic states of the heterocyclic ligands as intermediate ones.

[RE(TLA)·(H2O)n:Eu3+] (RE3+: Y, Gd and Lu; TLA: trimellitic acid) precursor complexes were synthesized by an one step aqueous co-precipitation method. After annealing for 1 h, RE2O3:Eu3+ nanophosphors were formed through the benzenetricarboxylate low temperature thermolysis method (500-1000 ºC). The compounds were characterized by using different techniques [elemental analysis (CHN), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), X-ray powder diffraction (XPD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM)]. The XPD data indicated that the Y2O3:Eu3+ materials have crystallite size range from 11 to 62 nm. The SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that the annealed materials keep morphological similarities with the precursor complexes. The photoluminescence properties were studied based on the excitation and emission spectra, and luminescence decay lifetimes of the 5D0 emitting level of the Eu3+ ion. The experimental intensity parameters (Ωλ), lifetimes (τ), as well as radiative (Arad) and non-radiative (Anrad) decay rates were calculated and discussed. The RE2O3:Eu3+ phosphors (RE: Y3+ and Lu3+) annealed at 500 to 1000 ºC have emission quantum efficiency (intrinsic quantum yield) values from 60 to 82%, indicating that this material can be potentially used for optical markers applications.

Novos complexos indandionatos de fórmulas [Ln(aind)3L(H2O)] e [Ln(bind)3L]∙H2O, (L: 1,10-fenantrolina (phen) ou 4,7-dimetil-1,10-fenantrolina (dmphen), Ln3+: Eu3+ ou Gd3+, aind: 2-acetil-1,3-indandionato e bind: 2-benzoil-1,3-indandionato) foram sintetizados e caracterizados por análise elementar, espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho e análise termogravimétrica. Os dados de caracterização são consistentes com a presença de uma molécula de água de cristalização nas estruturas dos compostos [Ln(bind)3L]∙H2O, enquanto que nos complexos [Ln(aind)3L(H2O)] a molécula de água atua como ligante. As geometrias dos complexos do íon Eu3+, otimizadas pelo modelo SPARKLE/AM1, foram consistentes com os resultados experimentais de luminescência. As propriedades luminescentes dos compostos de Eu3+ são discutidas em termos de parâmetros de intensidade experimentais (Ω2 e Ω4), taxas radiativas (Arad) e não-radiativas (Anrad) e eficiência quântica de emissão (η). Os maiores valores de η foram obtidos para os compostos [Eu(bind)3L]∙H2O, refletindo a ausência de moléculas de água na primeira esfera de coordenação do íon Eu3+.

Novel Ln3+-indandionate complexes of formulas [Ln(aind)3L(H2O)] and [Ln(bind)3L]∙H2O (L: 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen), Ln3+: Eu3+ or Gd3+, aind: 2-acetyl-1,3-indandionate and bind: 2-benzoyl-1,3-indandionate) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses. The characterization data are consistent with the presence of a water lattice molecule in the [Ln(bind)3L]∙H2O compounds. However, the data also suggest that the water acts as a coordinated molecule in the [Ln(aind)3L(H2O)] ones. Theoretical geometries of the Eu3+-complexes have been optimized via the SPARKLE/AM1 Model for lanthanide complexes that are consistent with their luminescence experimental data. The photoluminescence properties of the Eu3+-compounds have been discussed in terms of experimental intensity parameters (Ω2 and Ω4), radiative (Arad), and non-radiative (Anrad) spontaneous emission coefficients. The higher values of emission quantum efficiency (η) of the [Eu(bind)3L]∙H2O compounds reflect the absence of luminescence-quenching water molecule in their first coordination spheres.