Enhanced luminescence of terbium complexes with 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylate by Y(III) doping

Ten kinds of terbium doped inert yttrium complexes With 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylate (2,3-pzdc(2-)) have been synthesized. Characterization results indicate that the complexes have the compositions of Tb(pzdc)(1.5)center dot 5H(2)O and TbxYy(pzdc)(1.5)center dot 5H(2)O (x:y=0.10:0.90; 0.20:0.80; 0.30:0.70; 0.40:0.60; 0.60:0.40; 0.70:0.30; 0.80:0.20; 0.90:0.10). IR spectra show that the lanthanide ions coordinate with the carboxylic oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms of the ligands. Luminescence spectra show that the Y(III) ions can remarkably increase the luminescent intensities of terbium complexes. And Tb0.7Y0.3(pzdc)(1.5)center dot 5H(2)O exhibits the strongest luminescent emission. Furthermore, the doped lanthanide complexes show longer luminescence lifetimes and higher quantum yields. The enhanced luminescence efficiencies of Tb3+ ions in the doped complexes may result from intramolecular energy transfer as well as the decrease of the self-quench of the Tb3+ ions induced by the doped Y(III) ions.