Luminescence resonance energy transfer in hybrid materials based on terbium(iii) complex, rhodamine B and nanoclay

Abstract

The energy transfer between fluorescent molecules in various multichromophoric scaffolds has received increasing attention for its pivotal role in photosynthesis and optoelectronic devices. LAPONITE® nanoclay (LP) shows promising advantages in building light-harvesting systems due to its unique properties. Herein, we report a novel kind of luminescent hydrogel based on the combination of terbium(III) complexes and rhodamine B (RhB) with the LP clay; we also report the study of the energy transfer from the terbium(III) complex to the RhB dyes. First, a Tb³⁺–salicylic acid (Sal) complex was formed in situ on the surface of the LP platelets in an aqueous solution. Subsequently, the RhB dye was adsorbed onto the LP surface by electrostatic interactions. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra suggested that the fluorescence resonance energy transfer occurred from Sal to Tb³⁺ and from Tb³⁺ to RhB on LP. The maximum energy transfer efficiency could be calculated from the lifetime data. This simple and environmentally friendly approach provides ideas for the development of many systems, giving rise to great potential applications.