Synthesis in situ, characterization, and photostability of europium beta-diketone chelates in organically modified silicates (ORMOSILs)

Europium beta-diketonates have desirable optical properties, and transparen t inorganic materials that have been doped with these chelates seem to be p romising for potential applications in luminescence-display devices, integr ated optical device sources, and new visible lasers. However, these chelate s may be decomposed or not dissolved in sol-gel precursor solutions and, th us, cannot be doped in gel glasses that have been prepared via traditional sol-gel processing. An in situ synthesis technique has been used for the fi rst time to synthesize five binary and ternary coordination compounds of eu ropium beta-diketonates in transparent organically modified silicates (ORMO SILs) during heat treatment or during the process of sol-to-monolithic ORMO SIL conversion. ORMOSILs that have been doped with in situ europium beta-di ketonates exhibit rather-high fluorescence intensity and good monochromatic ity. These materials result in enhanced red-light emission under ultraviole t excitation. The chelates that have been synthesized in sits in the ORMOSI Ls reveal better photostability, in comparison to that of the pure chelates that have been dissolved in ethanol solutions.