Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Hyperspectral Imaging as a Tool to Study Optical Anisotropy in Lanthanide-Based Molecular Single Crystals
Published on: April 14, 2020
Local Environment-Modulated f-f Transition in Unit-Cell-Sized Lanthanide Ultrathin Nanostructures
Hao Fu1, Ziyun Zhong1, Zhong Liang1
1Tianjin Key Lab for Rare Earth Materials and Applications, Center for Rare Earth and Inorganic Functional Materials, Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, National Institute for Advanced Materials, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China.
Abstract:
The regulation of the f-f transition is the basis of utilizing the abundant optical properties of lanthanide (Ln), of which the key is to modulate the local environment of Ln ions. Here, we constructed Eu(III)-based unit-cell-sized ultrathin nanowires (UCNWs) with red luminescence and polymer-like behavior, which appears as an ideal carrier for regulating f-f transition. The f-f transition of Eu(III) in UCNWs could be precisely regulated through various ligands. It is the unusual surface states that make the UCNWs exhibit greater electric dipole strength and better sensitivity to various ligands compared with the carefully constructed ultrathin nanosheets. In addition, the possibility of regulating f-f transition in UCNWs through energy transfer and a high entropy strategy was also revealed. Finally, a temperature-dependent universal fluorescent ink was prepared based on UCNWs, which provides ideas for intelligent flexible fluorescent materials.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
Properties of Transition Metals
Periodic Classification of the Elements
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Valence Bond Theory

