Eu3+ @Organo-Si(HIPE) Macro-Mesocellular Hybrid Foams Generation: Syntheses, Characterizations, and Photonic Properties

The elaboration of organosilica-based hybrid monoliths exhibiting a hierarchically structured bimodal porous structure with chelating functionality have been synthesized under interplay between high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) and lyotropic mesophases. For the first time grafted Eu3+ @g beta-diketone-Si(HIPE) and Eu3+ gmalonamide-Si(HIPE) hybrid foams have been synthesized while a related Eu3+ @g beta-diketone-Si(HIPE) material has been obtained under a one-step co-condensation process. The loading of monoliths with lanthanides was performed by impregnation of an europium(III) salt in solution. The resulting materials have been thoroughly characterized via a large set of techniques including scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), mercury porosimetry, nitrogen sorption isotherms, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Si-29 and C-13 magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). This new series of luminescent Eu3+ containing Orerano-Si(HIPE) materials has a large potential of promising applications in catalysis, optics, sensors, chromatographic Supports, and so forth. For the first time, optical properties of these versatile materials with macro- and microporosity have been addressed thorough their absorption and emission spectra along with their relaxation luminescence properties.