Fluorescence enhancement of Tb(III) complex with a new β-diketone ligand by 1,10-phenanthroline

A novel β-diketone, 1-(3,4,5-trisbenzyloxy)benzoyl-5-benzoyl acetylacetone (TBAA), and its corresponding binary Tb(III) complex Tb(TBAA)3·2H2O and ternary complex Tb(TBAA)3Phen with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) were prepared. The ligand was characterized based on elemental analysis, FT-IR, and 1H NMR. The complexes were characterized with elemental analysis, FT-IR and thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG). Photoluminescence measurements indicated that the energy absorbed by the organic ligand was efficiently transferred to the central Tb3+ ions, and the complex showed intense and characteristic emissions due to the 5D4→ 7FJ transitions of the central Tb3+ ions. Both complexes showed longer fluorescence lifetimes. After the introduction of the second ligand Phen group, the relative emission intensities and fluorescence lifetimes of the ternary complex Tb(TBAA)3Phen enhanced more obviously than that of the binary complex Tb(TBAA)3·2H2O. This indicated that the presence of the ligand TBAA and the second ligand Phen could sensitize fluorescence intensities of Tb(III) ions, and the introduction of Phen group resulted in the enhancement of the fluorescence properties of the Tb(III) ternary rare earth complex.