Synthesis and electroluminescent properties of a novel terbium complex

A new carboxylic acid ligand (o-amino-4-hexadecane benzoic acid, AHBA) and a corresponding terbium complex (Tb(AHB)(3)) were synthesized and characterized. A multilayer electroluminescent device with poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK), 2-(4-biphenyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD) and the terbium complex as emissive layer was fabricated: glass substrate/ITO/PPV/PVK:-To(AHB)(3):PBD/Alq(3)/Al. The photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) spectra were discussed. This EL cell exhibited characteristic emission of terbium ions with a maximum luminance of 35 cd/m(2) at 20 V. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.