Synthesis of green emissive terbium(III) complexes for displays: Optical, electrochemical and photoluminescent analysis

A series of heteroleptic terbium(III) complexes with fluorinated 2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) and other heteroaromatic units have been synthesized. The developed heteroleptic complexes were inspected via elemental study, cyclic voltammetry, thermal analysis and spectroscopic investigations. Optical band‐gap data proposed the conducting property of prepared complexes. The photoluminescence emission profiles illustrated peaks based on terbium(III) cation (Tb3+) positioned at ~617, 586, 546 and 491 nm, imputed to 5D4 to 7FJ (J = 3,4,5,6) transitions separately. Most intense peak at 546 nm corresponding to 5D4 → 7F5 transition is accountable for the green emissive character of developed complexes. The luminous character of complexes reveals the sensitization of Tb3+ by ligands. Color parameters further corroborates the green emanation of Tb3+ complexes. The photometric characteristics of complexes recommended their usages in designing display devices. Octa‐coordinated Tb(III) complexes with 2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (Phen) derivatives were synthesized. Optical band gap of complexes suggested their conducting behavior. Upon irradiation in UV region, synthesized terbium complexes show characteristic emission peaks of Tb3+ ion. The luminescent behavior of synthesized complexes confirms the effective intramolecular energy transfer to Tb3+ ion via antenna effect.