Enhanced red emissions of europium(iii) chelates in DNA–CTMA complexes

Abstract

DNA-based functional materials are of great interest in electrical and optical device applications. In this paper, novel DNA-based photo-functional materials were fabricated by associating a DNA–lipid complex with a luminescent Eu(III) complex. Interactions between DNA–lipid and Eu(III) complexes were investigated by photophysical measurements in both solution and film states. The emission properties of the Eu(III) complex were improved by association with the DNA–lipid complex in the film state. The emission intensity, quantum yield, and thermal stability of the Eu(III) complex hosted by the DNA–lipid matrix were superior to those of the complex in a conventional poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix. Furthermore, the Eu(III) complex in the DNA–lipid film showed circularly polarized luminescence through excitation of the ligand moiety. The chiral environment of the DNA matrix provides optical chirality to the interacting Eu(III) complex.