Abstract
Gels have been investigated as potential matrices for rare earth luminescence. The use of complexing ligands in the sol-gel synthesis of the rare-earth doped glasses has been suggested to improve the rare earth ion luminescence properties in these matrices due to the changes in the local environment experienced by the rare earth ion. In this work, transparent Eu3+-doped gels were prepared from Si(OCH3)4 and fluorinated and/or complex-forming Eu3+ precursors (Eu(fod)3, (CF3 SO3)3Eu, (CF3CO2)Eu · 3H2O, Eu(thd)3 and Eu(acac)3). Results of emission, fluorescence line narrowing and lifetimes studies of Eu3+-doped gels derived from Si(OCH3)4 and fluorinated/chelate Eu3+ precursors are presented. The results were interpreted in terms of the evolution of the Eu3+ fluorescence in systems varying from solutions to the gels densified to 800°C. Analysis of the fluorescence decays of the 5D0 state suggests that the use of the fluorinated Eu3+ precursors reduces the hydrophobic content in the silica gels matrices. FLN studies indicate that Eu3+ clustering occurred in all densified samples.
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