Laser control and temperature switching of luminescence intensity in photostable transparent film based on terbium(III) β-diketonate complex

The study of the terbium(III) and gadolinium(III) beta-diketonate complexes by photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals considerable changes of the photophysical properties of the complexes under the UV laser irradiation. The measurements show the enhancement of the luminescence intensities in the vitrified transparent film of the terbium(III) complex as well as the gadolinium(III) complex under the 337 nm laser irradiation at room temperature. The irradiated film of the terbium(III) complex restores the initial photophysical properties after heating close to the melting temperature (similar to 353 K) and cooling. We observe no change of the luminescent properties of the irradiated film for months. These features can be used for the design of new lanthanide-based photostable systems with laser control of the luminescence intensity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.