When excited with a 415 nm laser, the Tc(V) complexes luminesce in the 700-800 nm range and have excited state lifetimes in the range of several microseconds at room temperature. The low-temperature luminescence spectra of the technetium complexes have also been investigated. Distinct vibrational band progressions are resolved in the low-temperature luminescence spectra. Excited state lifetimes at 5 K vary between tens of microseconds to several milliseconds for the dioxo-technetium complexes.

In addition, a previously known Tc(I) complex, [Tc(DMPE) 3]+ which has been used as a radiography imaging agent has been demonstrated in our labs to fluoresce in the visible wavelength region upon a one-electron reversible oxidation to form the Tc(II), [Tc(DMPE)3]2+ complex in aqueous solution. The luminescence of [Tc(DMPE)3]2+ was observed by illuminating the solution complex with a 404 nm excitation while performing the reversible electrochemical experiment. In a recent application, we have focused on making thin chemically-selective films for sensing radioactive technetium compounds and in this effort have developed a fluorescence-based spectroelectrochemical sensor.

Characterization of the new dioxo-technetium(V) and technetium(II)phosphine excited states as well as application of the respective chromophores for use in a spectroelectrochemical sensor for pertechnetate will be discussed.