Fabrication and luminescence of rare earth complex/SiO2 hybrid nanospheres

The organic rare earth complex was embedded in silica spheres to form inorganic-organic hybrid. Photoactive rare earth complexes with various organic ligands exhibit intense narrow emission band, and the silica is an excellent matrix for inorganic-organic structure. The transmission electron microscope image presents the hybrid nanospheres. The diameter of the hybrid is about 100 nm. The europium complex that incorporated into silica sphere is also proved by the IR Spectra, the excitation and emission spectra. The lifetimes of the Eu3+ ions in the hybrid nanospheres and in the pure europium complex were also detected. This hybrid with inhomogeneous compositions exhibits specifically tailored chemical and optical properties, such as perfect thermal and mechanical stability, colorimetric purity and so on. It can be used as luminescent and optical material in EL and PL fields.