Preparation and characterization of silicate nanofilms doped with europium β-diketonate complexes

Films consisting of Eu3+ β-diketonate complexes were deposited onto glassy substrates by means of the spin- and dip-coating techniques, using different ion/ligand ratios. Absorption spectroscopy in the infrared region revealed the typical stretching bands of the SiOSi and SiOH bonds of the inorganic matrix as well as bands relative to the CO and CH symmetric vibration of β-diketone (dibenzoylmethane). The films displayed UV-visible absorption band at 350 nm, attributed to the organic ligand. Luminescence properties were studied by photoluminescence spectroscopy. Upon ligand excitation, the emission spectra exhibited the characteristic bands of the Eu3+ ion corresponding to the transition from the excited state 5D0 to the ground state 7FJ. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of a film with average thickness ranging from 80 to 100 nm. The sol–gel process and the deposition techniques resulted in the effective formation of nanofilms, which opens up perspectives for their application in photonics.

► Nanofilms containing β-diketonate Eu3+ complexes prepared by sol–gel.
► Luminescent nanofilms prepared by spin- and dip-coating deposition.
► Luminescent thin films prepared by using hybrid materials.