Luminescence properties of lanthanide complexes and their silica-based composites

The spectroscopic properties of lanthanide complexes, [Eu(phen)(2)]Cl-3 and [Tb(bpy)(2)]Cl-3 (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine and phen=1,10; phenanthroline), as well as their composites incorporating them into some silica-based vitreous matrices prepared by a sol-gel method, have been characterized by measurements of emission spectra, lifetimes and quantum yields. Furthermore, their emission intensity variations were discussed on the basis of the symmetry around the lanthanide(III) ion and the non-radiative relaxation via water molecules in the lanthanide complex followed by some deductions on the high-performance luminescence characteristics of the anhydrous lanthanide complexes and their composites with the silica-based vitreous matrices. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.