Synthesis and optical characterization of poly(styrene sulfonate) films doped with Nd(III)

In this work, we present a new synthesis and optical characterization of poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) films doped with neodymium ions (Nd). The optimization of the Nd-PSS films processing shows that the maximum Nd(III) incorporation is equal to 14%. The absorbance spectra in the UV-Vis-NIR region of Nd-PSS films present the typical transition bands of neodymium chloride (NdCl3) in aqueous solution. The infrared spectra display the PSS transitions with an enlargement in every band, as a result of Nd coordination. The UV-Vis luminescence of Nd-PSS films exhibits a spectral blue shift and a line shape definition as compared to PSS film, indicating a decrease in the interaction among the aromatic groups. In addition, the Nd-PSS emission at 1052 nm (9505 cm−1 - transition 4F3/2 → 4I11/2) was observed, independently of the neodymium concentration. Judd-Ofelt theory was used in order to obtain the Nd radiative transition rates.