Multimodal luminescence manometers based on a novel organic complex material – Eu(bpyO 2 ) 4 (PF 6 ) 3

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices Materials for optical and electronic devices, 2024-11, Vol.12 (45), p.18435-18445
• Main Authors: Szymczak, Maja, Runowski, Marcin, Kwiatek, Dorota, Sobczak, Szymon, Woźny, Przemysław, Kubicki, Maciej, Dutkiewicz, Grzegorz, Katrusiak, Andrzej, Marciniak, Lukasz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Emission spectra; High pressure; Luminescence; Manometers; Phase transitions; Rare earth elements; Sensitivity; Single crystals
• ISSN: 2050-7526; 2050-7534
• DOI: 10.1039/D4TC03005B

The advancement of ultra-sensitive optical manometers is crucial for exploring the behavior of materials under extreme conditions. Herein, we introduce a novel rare-earth complex Eu(bpyO 2 ) 4 (PF 6 ) 3 as a promising candidate for high-precision pressure sensing, addressing the gap in sensitivity of existing luminescence manometers below 1 GPa. Through comprehensive high-pressure spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, we have found a phase transition in Eu(bpyO 2 ) 4 (PF 6 ) 3 at 1.25 GPa, where the ambient pressure phase α (space group Pbcn ) transforms to the high-pressure phase β (space group P 2 1 / n ). This process reduces the contribution of intramolecular anagostic bonds complementing the coordination sphere modifying the observed emission spectra, underpinning the role of crystal engineering in the development of dual-mode (ratiometric and lifetime-based) luminescence manometers. The ratiometric mode, measuring the intensity ratio between two emission bands of Eu 3+ ions, demonstrates a remarkable relative sensitivity, exceeding 120.7% GPa −1 at approximately 1.6 GPa. The lifetime-based mode utilizes pressure-influenced luminescence kinetics and shows a maximal relative sensitivity of 55.1% GPa −1 , classifying it as the most sensitive optical manometer operating in this mode. The unique bimodal readouts and unparalleled sensitivity of Eu(bpyO 2 ) 4 (PF 6 ) 3 across both modes represent a significant advancement in pressure sensing technologies.