Photophysical properties of novel fluorescent poly(oxyethylene phosphate) tris(β-diketonate) europium (III) complexes

In the present study, photophysical properties of fluorescent poly(oxyethylene phosphate) tris(β-diketonate) europium (III) complexes have been studied by means of stationary and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (in ethanol at room temperature). The luminescent quantum yields and efficiency for the energy transfer from β-diketonate ligands to Eu(III) ion have been determined for the studied complexes by using diffusion-enhanced fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Obtained results show effect of the polymer ligands upon photophysical properties of the complexes and a relation has been established with length of the oxyethylene spacer between two phosphonate groups. The Förster radiuses of the synthesized compounds with SulfoRhodamine 101 as acceptor have been calculated. Measured distances between molecules of the donors and acceptor at identical acceptor/donor molar ratios have been illustrated the difference in structure of the ternary and polymer complexes in solution even at low concentration.