Efficient green emission from transparent Tb3+-silicone hybrid materials

Salicylate complexes of terbium have been modified by co-coordination with trioctylphosphine oxide, by which the complexes can be rendered soluble even in non-polar matrices. Highly transparent, green emitting composites based on rare ions can thus be obtained now by the incorporation of these complexes into silicone matrices, which has in the past been reserved for green emitting organic dyes. The optical properties of the novel hybrid systems have been characterised, showing efficient luminescence of the Tb3+ ions with emission quantum yields of up to 68%.