Eu3+, Tb3+/β-diketonate functionalized mesoporous SBA-15/GaN composites: Multi-component chemical bonding assembly, characterization, and luminescence

GaN-functionalized rare earth (Eu3+ and Tb3+) organic/inorganic mesoporous nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized (designated as RE(LSBA-15)3(LGaN); RE = Eu, Tb; L = TAASi, BTASi). The organosilane precursor materials (LSBA-15) are synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and the functionalized β-diketones (TAASi and BTASi) in the presence of Pluronic P123 surfactant as a template. The modified β-diketones ligands are also used to covalently bond with surface-modified GaN and formed another precursor LGaN. Both of the precursors can coordinate with rare earth ions to synthesize the final mesoporous materials via a sol–gel process. FTIR, TEM, XRD, and nitrogen (N2) adsorption/desorption measurements are employed to characterize the mesostructure of RE(LSBA-15)3(LGaN). The luminescence properties and thermogravimetric analysis of all the prepared materials are characterized in detail, and the results reveal that a series of uniformed mesopore structure hybrid materials has been achieved. The mesoporous material Eu(BTASiSBA-15)3(BTASiGaN) has better luminescence intensity, higher quantum efficiency, and longer lifetime than Eu(TAASiSBA-15)3(TAASiGaN). While the nanocomposite Tb(TAASiSBA-15)3(TAASiGaN) revealed the strongest characteristic emission of Tb3+ ions than Tb(BTASiSBA-15)3(BTASiGaN), the excellent luminescent properties and thermal stability enable the hybrid mesoporous material to have potential applications in optical field.

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► We constructed new rare earth hybrids of functionalized mesoporous SBA-15.
► We constructed new rare earth hybrids of surface-modified GaN.
► We realized the mutlicomponent assembly of inorganic organic hybrids and nanocomposites.
► Visible luminescence of the hybrids is realized.