Preparation and spectral properties of ORMOSIL films doped with neodymium organic complex

Vinyltriethoxysilane-derived organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL) films doped with the organic complex neodymium tris(2-theonyltrifluoroacetonate)bis(triphenylphosphine oxide) by a multistep sol-gel process exhibit near-infrared luminescence at ca. 1330 nm (4F3/2→4I13/2). Spectral properties of as-doped films with a series of doping concentration from 1 to 10 mol.% (Nd related to Si) are investigated for the optimum doping concentration. The vinyltriethoxysilane-derived ORMOSIL host matrix is considered to have little effect on spectral properties of Nd3+ ions due to the ligands' protection. The effect of heat-treatment on photoluminescence properties is also revealed.