In-situ composition and luminescence of europium and terbium coordination polymers/PEMA hybrid thick films

Abstract

Europium and terbium coordination polymers of pyridine-3-carboxylic acid were in-situ composed with ethyl methacrylate (EMA). With the polymerization of EMA monomer and the formation of europium and terbium coordination polymers of pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, the transparent hybrid thick films composed of [Eu(NIC)3]n ([Tb(NIC)3]n) and poly ethyl methacrylate (PEMA) have been prepared. The luminescence properties and energy transfer of these polymeric composites were studied with absorption spectra, fluorescent excitation and emission spectra in detail. All the hybrid thick films composed of terbium coordination polymer show the characteristic strong green emission of terbium ions, which implies the same energy transfer mechanism as the pure complex and the hybrid composite film is a suitable substrate for the luminescence of terbium ions. In the range of composing concentration of luminescent species (0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mmol/15 mL EMA), emission intensities increase with the increasing of corresponding composing concentration and the concentration quenching effect does not take place.