Photoactive thin films of polycaprolactam doped with europium (III) complex using phenylalanine as ligand

► The present manuscript covers in detail our study related to the conditions for obtaining a phenylalanine complex and the effects on the polycaprolactam thin films. ► The synthesis and performance of an amino acid based europium complex to prepare photoactive thin films is presented, as well as the comparison with acetyl-β-acetonate europium complex. ► This paper is an important contribution in the area of production of thin photoluminescent surfaces.