Controlled polarized luminescence of smectic lanthanide complexes

•Smectic lanthanidomesogens.•Liquid-crystal-enhanced photoluminescence.•Polarized luminescence.

A new series of β-diketonate lanthanide adducts with 5,5′-di(heptadecyl)-2,2′-bipyridine, showing a smectic thermotropic mesomorphism, has been synthesized. The peculiar thermodynamic dependence of the phase transitions with the lanthanide ion is described, and the liquid crystalline properties of the series have been analyzed by SAXS. The luminescence in the solid state for the Eu(III), Sm(III), Yb(III), Er(III) and Nd(III) adducts was investigated. The enhancement of the luminescence by the orientation of the LC domains through film shear deformation is demonstrated.

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