Soft hybrids of Eu3+ beta-diketonates and MS (M = Zn, Cd) nanoparticles using mercapto-ionic liquid linkage for white luminescence integration

Abstract

We firstly achieved soft hybrid materials with semiconductor sulphide (ZnS, CdS) and Eu³⁺ beta-diketonates through a special multi-functional ionic liquid compound (1-methyl-3-(2-(thiocarboxyoxy)ethyl)-2H-imidazole-1,3-diium bromide (SHIL)) as chemical linkage, which are designated as MS–SHIL–Eu(L)₄ (M = Zn, Cd; L = thenoyl trifluoroacetylacetonate (TTA) and trifluoroacetylacetonate (TAA)). Here SHIL behaves as a bridge, interacting with metal sulfide through the affinity of the SH group to MS and linking tetrakis europium complexes through ion exchange. Physical characterization and especially the photoluminescent performance of the multi-component hybrids are studied. It is worth pointing out that the white luminescence integration can be realized for special composition of hybrid systems. The results provide a novel strategy to achieve white luminescence phosphor for display devices.