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Home / Applications / Quantum Efficiency of Phosphorescent Materials using an Integrating Sphere

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  • Technique

Quantum Efficiency of Phosphorescent Materials using an Integrating Sphere

By Heather Haffner

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May 1, 2024

Introduction

FP-6500 Spectrofluorometer
FP-6500 Spectrofluorometer

Phosphorescent compounds are frequently used as the luminescent layer in organic electro-luminescent devices, this is because the radiative decay from both the triplet and singlet states of a phosphorescent material increases its quantum efficiency, compared to materials where only a singlet state contributes to light emission. These phosphorescent materials must have a certain level of quantum efficiency for practical use. Quantum efficiency is defined as the ratio of the number of photons absorbed by sample to the number of photons emitted by sample

To measure phosphorescent materials in materials such as films, an integrating sphere is required. An integrating sphere collects the light that is scattered from a surface in different directions and focuses that light to a detector, as shown in Figure 1. While conventional integrating spheres typically only measure sample spectra at room temperature, the phosphorescence of a wide range of samples can be observed if the relaxation process is slowed down by cooling samples to 77 Kelvin.

This application note evaluates a system developed for calculating quantum efficiency from phosphorescence spectra measured at 77 Kelvin.

Experimental

To obtain phosphorescence data with an integrating sphere a Dewar vessel, filled with coolant such as liquid nitrogen, is placed in the sphere and the spectrum of the incident light is measured as illustrated in Figure 1.

Dewar position and (right) sample position in integrating sphere.
Figure 1. (Left) Dewar position and (right) sample position in integrating sphere.

The incident photon (S0) peak area appears in the excitation spectrum, illustrated in blue in Figure 2. The sample is then placed inside the Dewar vessel in the integrating sphere (Figure 1, right) and the sample’s excitation and emission spectra are measured. Figure 2 shows the excitation and emission of the scattering incident light. The excitation and emission peaks indicate the number of photons unabsorbed (S1) and emitted (S2) by the sample, respectively. The quantum efficiency is calculated using the following equation:

Number of photons emitted by sample/Number of photons absorbed by sample

Excitation and emission spectra of incident (blue) and scattered (red) photons.
Figure 2. Excitation and emission spectra of incident (blue) and scattered (red) photons.

Measurement Conditions

Excitation Bandwidth5 nmExcitation Wavelength350 (Quinine Sulfate),
335 (Benzophenone) nm
Emission Bandwidth5 nmData Interval1 nm
Response Time0.5 secScanning Speed1000 nm/min

Keywords

190-FP-0006, FP-6500, FWSQ-6017, Fluorescence, Phosphorescence, Quantum Efficiency, Materials, Integrating Sphere

Results

To confirm whether placing the Dewar vessel1 and coolant in the integrating sphere has any effect on the measurement results, the fluorescence spectrum of a sample with a known quantum efficiency was measured. Figure 3 illustrates the measured fluorescence spectrum and Table 1 shows the calculated quantum efficiencies (Φ). The calculated fluorescence quantum efficiency was 0.56 while the literature value was 0.5462. These results indicate no substantial effects when placing a dewar inside the integrating sphere.

Fluorescence spectrum of the incident light (green), quinine sulfate (blue), and a 25x more concentrated quinine sulfate (red) sample
Figure 3. Fluorescence spectrum of the incident light (green), quinine sulfate (blue), and a 25x more concentrated quinine sulfate (red) sample.

Table 1. Fluorescence intensity and quantum efficiency values of quinine sulfate.

Intensity
S04954.3
S14074.0
S2819.3
ΦMeasured0.93
ΦLiterature30.90

A sample of benzophenone was cooled by liquid nitrogen and placed in the integrating sphere. Figure 4 illustrates the measured fluorescence spectrum and Table 2 shows the calculated quantum efficiencies (Φ). The calculated phosphorescence quantum efficiency was 0.93 while the literature value was 0.903.

Fluorescence spectrum of the incident light (green), benzophenone (blue), and a 25x more concentrated benzophenone (red) sample
Figure 4. Fluorescence spectrum of the incident light (green), benzophenone (blue), and a 25x more concentrated benzophenone (red) sample.

Table 2. Fluorescence intensity and quantum efficiency values of benzophenone.

Intensity
S04954.3
S14074.0
S2819.3
ΦMeasured0.93
ΦLiterature30.90

Conclusion

The quantum efficiency of phosphorescent materials at low temperatures can reliably be obtained using an FP-6500 and a dedicated quantum efficiency system.

Required Products and Software

  • FP-8300/8500/8600/8700 Spectrofluorometer
  • ILFC-847 LN2 Cooled 100 mm dia. Integrating Sphere
  • PMU-830 Liquid Nitrogen Cooling Unit
  • PPH-150 Phosphorescence Measurement Cell Kit for Powder Sample
  • FWQE-880 Quantum Yield Cal culation program

References

1. In this measurement, the Dewar vessel was filled with water instead of liquid nitrogen
2. Melhuish, W.H., Journal of Physical Chemistry. 65, 229, 1961.
3. The Chemical Society of Japan, Courses in Experimental Chemistry 3 Basic Physical Chemistry.

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.

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About the Author

JASCO Application Note

Quantum Efficiency of Phosphorescent Materials using an Integrating Sphere

Introduction

FP-6500 Spectrofluorometer
FP-6500 Spectrofluorometer

Phosphorescent compounds are frequently used as the luminescent layer in organic electro-luminescent devices, this is because the radiative decay from both the triplet and singlet states of a phosphorescent material increases its quantum efficiency, compared to materials where only a singlet state contributes to light emission. These phosphorescent materials must have a certain level of quantum efficiency for practical use. Quantum efficiency is defined as the ratio of the number of photons absorbed by sample to the number of photons emitted by sample

To measure phosphorescent materials in materials such as films, an integrating sphere is required. An integrating sphere collects the light that is scattered from a surface in different directions and focuses that light to a detector, as shown in Figure 1. While conventional integrating spheres typically only measure sample spectra at room temperature, the phosphorescence of a wide range of samples can be observed if the relaxation process is slowed down by cooling samples to 77 Kelvin.

This application note evaluates a system developed for calculating quantum efficiency from phosphorescence spectra measured at 77 Kelvin.

Experimental

To obtain phosphorescence data with an integrating sphere a Dewar vessel, filled with coolant such as liquid nitrogen, is placed in the sphere and the spectrum of the incident light is measured as illustrated in Figure 1.

Dewar position and (right) sample position in integrating sphere.
Figure 1. (Left) Dewar position and (right) sample position in integrating sphere.

The incident photon (S0) peak area appears in the excitation spectrum, illustrated in blue in Figure 2. The sample is then placed inside the Dewar vessel in the integrating sphere (Figure 1, right) and the sample’s excitation and emission spectra are measured. Figure 2 shows the excitation and emission of the scattering incident light. The excitation and emission peaks indicate the number of photons unabsorbed (S1) and emitted (S2) by the sample, respectively. The quantum efficiency is calculated using the following equation:

Number of photons emitted by sample/Number of photons absorbed by sample

Excitation and emission spectra of incident (blue) and scattered (red) photons.
Figure 2. Excitation and emission spectra of incident (blue) and scattered (red) photons.

Measurement Conditions

Excitation Bandwidth5 nmExcitation Wavelength350 (Quinine Sulfate),
335 (Benzophenone) nm
Emission Bandwidth5 nmData Interval1 nm
Response Time0.5 secScanning Speed1000 nm/min

Results

To confirm whether placing the Dewar vessel1 and coolant in the integrating sphere has any effect on the measurement results, the fluorescence spectrum of a sample with a known quantum efficiency was measured. Figure 3 illustrates the measured fluorescence spectrum and Table 1 shows the calculated quantum efficiencies (Φ). The calculated fluorescence quantum efficiency was 0.56 while the literature value was 0.5462. These results indicate no substantial effects when placing a dewar inside the integrating sphere.

Fluorescence spectrum of the incident light (green), quinine sulfate (blue), and a 25x more concentrated quinine sulfate (red) sample
Figure 3. Fluorescence spectrum of the incident light (green), quinine sulfate (blue), and a 25x more concentrated quinine sulfate (red) sample.

Table 1. Fluorescence intensity and quantum efficiency values of quinine sulfate.

Intensity
S04954.3
S14074.0
S2819.3
ΦMeasured0.93
ΦLiterature30.90

A sample of benzophenone was cooled by liquid nitrogen and placed in the integrating sphere. Figure 4 illustrates the measured fluorescence spectrum and Table 2 shows the calculated quantum efficiencies (Φ). The calculated phosphorescence quantum efficiency was 0.93 while the literature value was 0.903.

Fluorescence spectrum of the incident light (green), benzophenone (blue), and a 25x more concentrated benzophenone (red) sample
Figure 4. Fluorescence spectrum of the incident light (green), benzophenone (blue), and a 25x more concentrated benzophenone (red) sample.

Table 2. Fluorescence intensity and quantum efficiency values of benzophenone.

Intensity
S04954.3
S14074.0
S2819.3
ΦMeasured0.93
ΦLiterature30.90

Conclusion

The quantum efficiency of phosphorescent materials at low temperatures can reliably be obtained using an FP-6500 and a dedicated quantum efficiency system.

Keywords

190-FP-0006, FP-6500, FWSQ-6017, Fluorescence, Phosphorescence, Quantum Efficiency, Materials, Integrating Sphere

Required Products and Software

  • FP-8300/8500/8600/8700 Spectrofluorometer
  • ILFC-847 LN2 Cooled 100 mm dia. Integrating Sphere
  • PMU-830 Liquid Nitrogen Cooling Unit
  • PPH-150 Phosphorescence Measurement Cell Kit for Powder Sample
  • FWQE-880 Quantum Yield Cal culation program

References

1. In this measurement, the Dewar vessel was filled with water instead of liquid nitrogen
2. Melhuish, W.H., Journal of Physical Chemistry. 65, 229, 1961.
3. The Chemical Society of Japan, Courses in Experimental Chemistry 3 Basic Physical Chemistry.

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.
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