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Published on: April 14, 2020
Fluorescence quenching and luminescence sensitization in complexes of Tb3+ and Eu3+ with humic substances
Michael U Kumke1, Sascha Eidner, Tobias Krüger
1Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany. kumke@chem.uni-potsdam.de
Abstract:
Intrinsic fluorescence quenching of humic substances (HS) and the sensitization of Ln3+ luminescence (Ln3+ = Tb3+, Eu3+) in HS complexes were investigated. Both measurements yielded complementary information on the complexation of metals by HS. Large differences between fulvic acids (FA) and humic acids (HA) were found. From time-resolved luminescence measurements it is concluded that a combination of energy transfer and energy back transfer between HS and Ln3+ is responsible for the observed luminescence decay characteristics. In the case of Eu3+, an additional participation of charge-transfer states is suggested. A new concept for the evaluation of the sensitized luminescence decays of Ln3+ was adapted.
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