Luminescence of Co(III) and Cr(III) in K₃Cr_<i>x</i>Co_1–<i>x</i>(CN)₆ Mixed crystals: Energy transfer and quenching processes

Abstract

Abstract A complete series of mixed crystals of K 3 [Cr(CN) 6 ] and K 3 [Co(CN) 6 ] has been prepared by a precipitation technique and shown by crystallographic examination to have the orthorhombic structure. Room temperature studies of the intensity dependence of chromium and cobalt emissions with wavelength, intensity and chromium concentration have been made on tablets formed from these materials. In addition the lifetimes of the chromium emission have been measured. It is found that no significant energy transfer occurs between the cobalt and chromium systems and that a dramatic quenching of the chromium emission begins at about 15% chromium. The nature of this chromium/chromium quenching is discussed in terms of a statistical treatment of short range interactions between ions on adjacent lattice sites.