White-light emission based on a single component Sm(iii) complex and enhanced optical properties by doping methods

Abstract

A new series of dinuclear lanthanide complexes, Ln₂(Hshi)₂DBM₄·2DMF (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Nd and Yb) were synthesized using H₃shi (H₃shi = salicylhydroxamic acid) and a β-diketonate ligand (DBM = dibenzoylmethanide). The two Ln(III) ions in the molecules are bridged by a salicylhydroxamic ligand with a rigid configuration. The structures of the isostructural complexes 1–6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The optical properties of the complexes can be simply enhanced by doping methods. White-light emission materials can be obtained from a single component (Sm³⁺) by adjusting the excitation wavelength. The lifetimes and quantum yields of the luminescence were also determined.