Synthesis and characterization of photoluminescent terbium-containing polymer precursors

Two new ternary Tb3+ complexes, Tb(MAA)3phen and Tb(AA)3phen have been synthesized that possess polymer precursors. Each complex consists of two different ligands: one is carboxylate which is derived from methacrylic acid (MAA) or acrylic acid (AA) to serve not only as a ligand but also as a functional group for polymer precursor, the other is 1,10-phenanthroline which is found to be a critical component to make the complex exhibit desirable photophysical properties. The fluorescence of the complexes shows the characteristic emission of Tb3+ ion in both solid state and liquid solution. The fluorescence intensity is found to be concentration-dependent in solution up to 0.02 M. Afterwards, the emission property of Tb(AA)3phen shows to be fairly stable all the way up to 0.1 M.