Fabrication and spectroscopic investigations of green emitting Tb(Sal)3Phen complex embedded in polymer nanofibers

In the present article, we report the synthesis of Tb(Sal)(3)Phen complex and the fabrication of polymeric nanofibres. Nanofibres of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA) polymers, dispersed with lanthanide complex, are prepared by electrospinning process. Detailed structural and spectroscopic properties of the complex and nanofibres have been investigated. The PAN nanofibres were of diameter 232 +/- 20 nm and length > 200 mu m, while PVA host fibres had a diameter 257 +/- 20 nm and length > 200 mu m. The surface analysis of the nanofibres indicates a smoother and inflexible surface of the PAN nanofibres in comparison to the PVA nanofibres. Tb(Sal)(3)Phen complex emits bright blue-green emissions, attributed to salicylic acid and Tb3+ ions. The emission intensity of the TSP complex is significantly modified in nanofibres. It is observed that the Tb3+ ion yield brighter emissions in PVA nanofibres than the PAN nanofibres due to the limited dispersibility of the complex in PAN polymer. Moreover, the PVA matrix provides a more asymmetric microenvironment around the complex than the PAN matrix. The time-resolved emission spectroscopy reveals the presence of two relaxation channels in salicylic acid, which is delayed in nanofibres. The detailed colour analysis and photophysics of the observed results are discussed in detail.

Automated summary

In this study, the synthesis of Tb(Sal)(3)Phen complex and the fabrication of polymeric nanofibres were reported. It was found that Tb3+ ions emitted brighter light in PVA nanofibres compared to PAN nanofibres, and the PAN nanofibres had a smoother surface. Additionally, a delay in the relaxation channels of salicylic acid was observed in the nanofibres.