Polymer encapsulated scorpionate Eu3+ complexes as novel hybrid materials for high performance luminescence applications

Abstract

N,N,N-Tri(1-pyrazolyl)methane europium complexes, [Eu{HC(pz)₃}(H₂O)₆]Cl₃, encapsulated with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) gel, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) gel or hexagonal mesoporous silica–PVA (HMS–PVA), have been synthesized, by using a sol–gel technique, as hybrid materials. The geometric structure of the new Eu complex has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. The hybrid Eu–PVA sample has performed the most effective unit mass luminescence emission with a longer lifetime 444 μs, higher quantum efficiency, greater thermal stability and better exposure durability in comparison to the other Eu–PMMA (379 μs) and Eu–HMS–PVA (55 μs) samples. The characterization results support that these hybrid polymers have made a proper network structure with the Eu³⁺ complex and act as antennae for the transfer of energy to the central Eu³⁺ ions, and could be use for enhanced OLED light.