Energy transfer characteristics in Tb(III)‒2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid complex

Abstract

Energy transfer through organic sensitization to ligand-centred Ln3+ ions is crucial for developing multifunctional materials with high brightness and good quantum yield from an application perspective. Gentisic acid (2, 5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid), as organic biomolecule is well known as the side minor metabolite of Salicylic acid/Aspirin and often used for palliative treatment. As fluorescence probes, significant optical absorption of 2, 5-DHBA in deep UV region fluoresce in near visible region and have also been employed to sensitize REs ions through metal-organic complexation. The present work emphasizes on the fluorescence assessment of DHBA, DHBA:Tb3+, PHEN:Tb3+, and DHBA/PHEN:Tb3+ complexes in PVA matrix as well as in aliphatic solvents. UV irradiation of DHBA embedded in PVA matrix or alcoholic solvent results in a vivid green emission of Tb3+ via linker-to-metal energy transfer (5D4→7F0-6). Moreover, the addition of PHEN pairing with DHBA:Tb3+ doped PVA matrix culminated in a broadened stimulus region (deep UV harvesting) and proficient energy transfer. Quantum Yield assessment revealed about the efficacy of DHBA is approximately 59 %, whereas for the optimized DHBA:Tb3+ in PVA matrix is about the 22 %. Colour tunability with Tb3+ concentrations, as well as the consequence of PHEN's as extended energy harvesting possibility, make it suitable for potential applications in optoelectronic devices, green LEDs, security inks, and biomarkers, etc. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.