Synthesis, characterization, and luminescent properties of MCM-41 and AlMCM-41 mesoporous materials containing Eu(III) ions

Nanostructured materials such as MCM-41 modified with rare earth ions have been studied due to their potential for a variety of applications. Rare earth trivalent ions in some solid compounds emit light at characteristic wavelengths due to infra 4f or inter 4f-5d transitions. The MCM-41 and AlMCM-41 mesoporous materials were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment using cethyltrimethylammonium as template, and then calcined at 500degreesC in presence of air. The obtained materials were impregnated with Eu(III) ions using europium nitrate solution in ethanol with equivalent concentrations of 5, 10, and 15% in mass, followed by calcination at 500degreesC under nitrogen atmosphere. The Eu-containing products were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The emission spectra were recorded at room temperature. For the Eu-MCM-41 and EuAl-MCM-41 samples, intense photoluminescence were observed in the visible region, with maximum intensity centered at 620 nm. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.