Unmasking the UV Photobleaching of β-Diketonate [Eu(BTFA)₄]^- Complexes as an Energy-Driven Photoreduction Process.

ABSTRACT: We elucidate the nature of the gradual attenuation of luminescence under sustained ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure in europium [Eu(BTFA)₄]^- complexes, revealing that it originates from a nonlinear energy-driven process, wherein Eu(III) is irreversibly reduced to Eu(II). This photoreduction was confirmed via the electrochemical techniques cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, which, coupled with luminescence experiments, provided direct evidence of the Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺ reduction and the disappearance of Eu(III) after UV exposure. Indeed, extended UV exposure induces a gradual decrease in Eu(III) luminescence, paired with an increased intensity of Eu(II) luminescence, upon direct excitation of the metal ion. To provide an adequate description of t

SUBMITTER: Melo LLLS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11881040 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature