Novel organic–inorganic amorphous photoactive hybrid films with rare earth (Eu3+, Tb3+) covalently embedded into silicon–oxygen network via sol–gel process

• The hybrids are prepared through the hydrolysis and condensation process.
• The hybrids are amorphous and heat stabilized.
• The hybrids containing Eu3+ and Tb3+ show the typical red and green emissions.

Novel organic–inorganic hybrid amorphous thin films were synthesized by linking lanthanide (Tb3+, Eu3+) complexes through 3,4-bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propylcarbamoyloxy)benzoic acid using sol–gel method. These inorganic–organic hybrids were characterized in detail by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction, themogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, and fluorescence spectra. The above research results indicate that the hybrids possess high thermal-stability, amorphous structure features and especially favorable luminescent performances, such as long luminescent decay lifetime, high quantum yield etc.

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