Dynamic behavior of tris-ruthenium bipyridyl chloride and tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum and energy transfer between them in a number of sol–gel films

Abstract Time decay of fluorescence of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq 3 ) and tris(ruthenium bipyridyl chloride) (Rubpy) in silica, zirconia, tin oxide and ormocer films prepared by the sol–gel method were studied by laser induced fluorescence. The lifetimes of Rubpy are unchanged in the presence of Alq 3 while the lifetimes of the Alq 3 are decreased in the co-doped species as a result of electron transfer or non-radiative energy transfer between Alq 3 and Rubpy. The energy transfer is reflected also by overlap between absorption of Rubpy and emission of Alq 3 .