Room temperature synthesis of hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites containing Eu2+

For the first time, the room temperature synthesis of new Eu2+ doped hybrid materials together with their absorption and emission properties are reported. These hybrids containing Eu2+ and a small amount of Eu3+ are obtained through the hydrolysis and condensation of diethoxymethylsilane, methyltriethoxysilane and zirconium tetrapropoxide precursors in the presence of europium trichloride. These Eu2+ doped materials exhibit a strong host dependent Eu2+ luminescence, the intensity of which does not change upon air storage, confirming that Eu2+ ions are efficiently trapped inside these hybrid matrices.