Switching luminescence of lanthanide-based molecules through an external electric field is considered as a promising approach toward novel functional molecule-based devices. Classic routes use casted films and liquid electrolyte as media for redox reactions. Such protocol, even if efficient, is relatively hard to turn into an effective solid-state device. In this work, we explicitly synthesize lanthanide-based dimers whose luminescent behavior is affected by the presence of Cu(2+) ions. Excellent evaporability of the dimers and utilization of Cu(2+)-based solid-state electrolyte makes it possible to reproduce solution behavior at the solid state. Reversible modulation of Cu(2+) ions transport can be achieved by an electric field in a solid-state device, where lanthanide-related luminescence is driven by an electric field. These findings provide a proof-of-concept alternative approach for electrically driven modulation of solid-state luminescence and show promising potential for information storage media in the future.
Keywords: all-solid state; electrical driven; ion transport; lanthanide ions; luminescence modulation.