Synthesis of EuS and EuSe particles via thermal decomposition of dithio- and diselenophosphinate europium complexes

Abstract

New two- and trivalent europium complexes with dithio- and diselenodiphenylphosphinate ligands (S₂PPh₂^- and Se₂PPh₂^-) have been synthesized as precursors for nanoparticles. Two-valent europium compounds have been characterized via X-ray diffraction. Their photoluminescence properties have been studied as well. EuS colloidal nanoparticles have been obtained via the thermolysis of Eu(S₂PPh₂)_n (n = 2, 3) in a hexadecylamine medium at 310°C. The average size of objects is found to be 40–70 nm. As is established, the valent state of a lanthanide in the complex exerts no influence on the size of the forming nanoparticles or on the luminescence spectrum of colloidal solutions.