Controlling Nd-to-Yb energy transfer through a molecular approach

ARTIZZU, FLAVIA;SERPE, ANGELA;Marchiò, Luciano;SABA, MICHELE;MURA, ANTONIO ANDREA;MERCURI, MARIA LAURA;BONGIOVANNI, GIOVANNI LUIGI CARLO;DEPLANO, PAOLA;QUOCHI, FRANCESCO

2015-01-01

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Abstract

Nd-to-Yb energy transfer (ET) at the molecular level has been investigated in the novel heterobimetallic NdYb(2)Q(9) (Q = 8-quinolinolate) complex where the Q ligand works as a high cross-sectional optical antenna. The remarkable ion size-driven templating effect of Nd3+ allows for good control of molecular speciation through a simple one-pot synthetic procedure. Short intermetallic distances and enhanced donor (Nd)/acceptor (Yb) spectral overlap in the molecular assembly strongly favor Nd-to-Yb energy transfer, which reaches nearly unitary efficiency, while detrimental processes such as concentration quenching and energy back transfer are ruled out. The devised approach allows us to obtain a controlled assembly of heterolanthanide compounds whose features hold potential for the development of highly performing Yb3+-based optical materials.