Luminescence of Tb3+ and Eu3+ doped amorphous zinc benzoates.

The Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) doped amorphous zinc benzoate were prepared. Their infrared absorption, emission and excitation spectra were measured. The luminescence mechanisms of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) in the amorphous substrate were discussed. The bonding modes of OCO group to Zn(2+) ion have two of symmetric and asymmetric bridging bidentate. The energy of the S(1) pi,pi* excited state of benzene ring can be transferred to Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) ion, and results in characteristic emission from the 5D(4)-->(7)F(j) of Tb(3+) and 5D(0)-->(7)F(j) of Eu(3+), respectively.