A new europium(III)-β-diketonate complex based on diphenylethyne as red phosphors applied in LED

A new europium(III) ternary complex based on a fluorinated β-diketonate ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline as an ancillary ligand has been prepared and evaluated as a candidate for light-emitting diode (LED). The complex exhibits a high decomposition temperature (316 °C). Photophysical properties such as FT-IR spectra, UV–vis absorption spectra, excitation and emission spectra, luminescence decay curve and quantum yield were investigated. The excitation band is well matched with the characteristic emission of 395 nm-emitting InGaN chips. The complex exhibits an efficient energy transfer pathway from the ligands to the central Eu3+ ion via a ligand-sensitized luminescence process. An intense red-emitting LED was fabricated by coating the complex onto a 395 nm-emitting InGaN chip, and its Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinate (x=0.6389, y=0.3255) is close to the National Television Standard Committee (NTSC) standard value for red color. Meanwhile, the energy transfer from the InGaN chip to the complex is very efficient. All the findings demonstrate the potential application of the Eu(III) complex as red-emitting phosphors for UV-based white LEDs. -- Highlights: ► A new europium(III)-β-diketonate complex was synthesized and characterized. ► Thermal stability and photophysical properties were investigated in detail. ► PL mechanism was proposed to involve a ligand-sensitized luminescence process. ► An intense red-emitting LED was fabricated by using the complex. ► CIE chromaticity coordinate is close to NTSC standard value for red color