Luminescence of uranyl ion complexed with 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid as ligand in acetonitrile medium: observation of co-luminescence

Luminescence from UO22+ (uranyl ion) complexed with 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDA) has been studied using acetonitrile (MeCN) as solvent between pH 1.0 and 6.0. The enhancement in luminescence intensity because of sensitization by PDA in the non-aqueous environment provided by the MeCN is found to be one order better than in aqueous medium. The luminescence is further enhanced by about four times following the addition of Y3+; a process known as co-luminescence. This is the first study on co-luminescence of uranyl ion in its PDA complex. Lifetime studies indicate the presence of two species having different micro-environments. Formations of both intra and inter molecular complexes are believed to be responsible for enhancement due to co-luminescence.