Composition Control in Molecular Cluster-Aggregates: A Toolbox for Optical Output Tunability via Energy Transfer...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Composition control is key for high-performance lanthanide (Ln) luminescent materials.
• This strategy is common in nanoparticles but less explored in molecular compounds due to limited metal centers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore composition control in molecular cluster-aggregates (MCAs) for tunable optical outputs.
• To investigate the impact of a third Ln³⁺ doping ion on Tb³⁺ → Eu³⁺ energy transfer and ratiometric optical thermometry.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of icosanuclear core MCAs: {Ln₂Eu₂Tb₁₆} (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb).
• Investigation of photophysical properties at room and varying temperatures.
• Analysis of luminescence processes based on experimental data and Ln³⁺ intrinsic features (spin-orbit coupling, 4f energy levels).

Main Results:

• Demonstrated successful application of composition control in MCAs, similar to nanoparticles.
• Observed modulation of optical output by varying the Ln³⁺ doping ion.
• Provided insights into luminescence processes and trends in the MCA series.

Conclusions:

• Composition control is a viable strategy for tuning optical properties in molecular lanthanide materials.
• The study offers a rational approach to correlate Ln³⁺ doping with luminescence and thermometry performance.
• MCAs provide a platform for developing advanced luminescent materials with tailored functionalities.