Highly efficient light harvesting of a Eu(iii) complex in a host–guest film by triplet sensitization

Abstract

Trivalent lanthanide complexes are attractive light emitters owing to their ideal high color purity. Sensitization using ligands with high absorption efficiency is a powerful approach to enhancing photoluminescence intensity. However, the development of antenna ligands that can be used for sensitization is limited due to difficulties in controlling the coordination structures of lanthanides. When compared to conventional luminescent Eu(III) complexes, a system composed of triazine-based host molecules and Eu(hfa)₃(TPPO)₂ (hfa: hexafluoroacetylacetonato and TPPO: triphenylphosphine oxide) significantly increased total photoluminescence intensity. Energy transfer from the host molecules to the Eu(III) ion occurs via triplet states over several molecules, according to time-resolved spectroscopic studies, with nearly 100% efficiency. Our discovery paves the way for efficient light harvesting of Eu(III) complexes with simple fabrication using a solution process.