Preparation and luminescence properties of inorganic-organic hybrid materials doped with lanthanide (III) complexes

Lanthanide (III) complex, [Eu(phen)(2)]Cl-3 and [Tb(bpy)(2)]Cl-3, were doped into the SiO2-MxOy matrices derived from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and metal alkoxides (M(OR)(n), M = Zr, Ta) by the sol-gel method. Luminescence properties of the resultant inorganic-organic hybrid materials were characterized. The emission intensity of the phosphors was dependent on the matrix composition and maximized at M:Si = 1:9 in each case. The complex was incorporated into the SiO2-MxOy matrices with a concentration up to 20 mol% to produce hybrid phosphor bulks with good transparency. The maximum emission intensity was achieved at similar to 78% versus Y(P, V)O-4:Eu for the (SiO2-ZrO2):Eu(phen)(2)(3+) phosphors and similar to 75% versus LaPO4:Ce, Tb for the (SiO2-TaO2):Tb(bpy)(3)(2+) ones under the optimal preparation conditions, respectively. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.