Synthesis and electroluminescent properties of a novel terbium complex

A new carboxylic acid ligand (o-amino-4-hexadecane benzoic acid, AHBA) and a corresponding terbium complex (Tb(AHB)3) were synthesized and characterized. A multilayer electroluminescent device with poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK), 2-(4-biphenyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD) and the terbium complex as emissive layer was fabricated: glass substrate/ITO/PPV/PVK:Tb(AHB)3:PBD/Alq3/Al. The photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) spectra were discussed. This EL cell exhibited characteristic emission of terbium ions with a maximum luminance of 35 cd/m2 at 20 V.