Near-IR Luminescent Yb-III Coordination Polymers Composed of Pyrene Derivatives for Thermostable Oxygen Sensors

This work synthesized oxygen sensitive and near infrared (NIR) luminescent Yb(III) coordination polymers incorporating ligands based on pyrene derivatives: Yb(III)-TBAPy and Yb(III)-TIAPy (TBAPy: 1,3,6,8-tetrskis(p-benzoate)pyrene, TIAPy: 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(3,5-isophtalic acid)pyrene). The coordination structures of these materials were characterized using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis, while the porous structure of the Yb(III)-TIAPy was evaluated based on its adsorption isotherm. The NIR luminescence properties of the Yb(III)-TBAPy and Yb(III)-TIAPy were examined by acquiring emission spectra and determining emission lifetimes under air, argon and vacuum. The Yb(III)-TIAPy exhibited high thermal stability (with a decomposition temperature of 400 °C), intense luminescence (with an emission quantum yield under argon of 6.6%) and effective oxygen-sensing characteristics. These results suggest that NIR luminescent Yb(III) coordination polymers made using pyrene derivatives could have applications in novel thermo-stable oxygen sensors.