Preparation of photoluminescent PMMA doped with tris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate lanthanide complexes

The neutral homoleptic Ln(III) complex Ln(Tp)3 (Ln=Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb; Tp=hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) were used as dopants for the preparation of novel photoluminescent poly(methyl methacrylate) glasses indicated as Ln(Tp)3@PMMA. The doped polymers containing samarium, europium and terbium derivatives showed emission associated to f–f transitions in the visible range upon excitation with UV light, while a NIR emission was obtained from Yb(Tp)3@PMMA. The maximum incident wavelength able to induce emissions from the Ln(Tp)3-doped polymers depends upon the choice of the lanthanide ion. No meaningful antenna-effect was instead observed using dysprosium as metal centre. ► Polymers doped with photoluminescent lanthanide complexes. ► Hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate (Tp) as antenna-ligand for Sm(III), Eu(III), Tb(III) and Yb(III). ► Emission associated to f–f transitions upon excitation with UV light. ► No antenna-effect for dysprosium derivative. ► Photoluminescence excitation spectra are dependent upon the lanthanide ion.