Synthesis, structural characterization and luminescent properties of a novel europium ternary complex Eu(2-A-4-CBA)3phen

The preparation of a novel europium ternary complex with the formula of Eu(2-A-4-CBA)3phen (where, 2-A-4-CBA = 2-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) under solvothermal condition is described. The composition and structure of the resulting complex were investigated by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The complex is polycrystalline, and the morphology is clean and regular as revealed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The luminescent and thermal properties of the complex were researched by fluorescence spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Of importance here is that, the room-temperature luminescence spectra of the complex show strong characteristic emission of the corresponding Eu3+, which is attributed to the energy transfer from ligands to Eu3+ via an Antenna effect. It is also found that the complex exhibits pure red light and high color purity. In addition, the complex does not decompose until 300 °C, so it exhibits good thermal stability.