Preparation, characterization and luminescent properties of MCM-41 type materials impregnated with rare earth complex

Hybrid materials incorporating Eu-(TTA)(3). 2H(2)O (7hereafter designated a s Eu-TTA, with TTA: thenoyltrifluoroacetone) in unmodified or modified MCM- 41 by 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) were prepared by impregnation m ethod. The obtained materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (X RD), IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and luminescence spectra. All the hybrid samples exhibited the characteristic emission bands of EU3+ unde r UV light excitation at room temperature, and the excitation spectra showe d significant blue-shifts compared to the pure rare-earth complex. Although the red emission intensity in the modified hybrid was almost the half of t he red emission intensity in the pure Eu-TTA complex at room temperature, t he hybrid showed a much higher thermal stability due to the shielding chara cter of the MCM-41 host.