Photoemissive polymer composite based on new Y(III), Gd(III), and Tb(III) complexes with N-hydroxyphthalimide

In the present work, a green emitting composite with attractive photoluminescent properties was obtained through the embedding of the Tb 3+ complex with N-hydroxyphthalimide in a poly-(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone) matrix, which was further processed in thin or thick films. First, several complexes of Gd 3+ , Tb 3+ , and Y3+ with N-hydroxyphthalimide with the general formula [M(NHF) 3 (DMF) 2 ] were prepared at a 1:3 metal/ligand ratio. The Tb 3+ complex presents specific emission peaks, with the most intense peak located at 543 nm, thus being selectedfor incorporation in the poly(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone) matrix. The prepared complexes and composites were investigated through elemental analysis, thermal analysis, FT-IR, P-XRD, and SEM. The photoluminescent properties were studied in detail. Remarkably, through the embedding in the poly(vinyl-pyrrolidone) matrix, the photoluminescent properties of the Tb 3+ complex are notably enhanced compared to the free complex.