Preparation and luminescent properties of silica-based composite materials encapsulating a novel terbium complex

Silica-based composite materials encapsulating luminescent terbium complex of a new podand-type polyaromatic acid ligand, 3,6-bis [(4′-carboxyphenoxy)methyl]-1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene (H2BCM), SiO2:Tb2(BCM)3 was prepared by the sol–gel process. For the SiO2:Tb2(BCM)3 composites, the energy transfer from the ligand to Tb ions took place smoothly, as for the original complex, and consequently strong green emission based on Tb3+ was observed. Compared with the complex itself, the unit-mass luminescence intensity of the composite material is enhanced 16 times. In addition, concentration effects on the luminescence intensity were investigated.

Graphical abstractSilica-based composite luminescent materials encapsulating luminescent terbium complex of a new podand-type polyaromatic acid ligand, 3,6-bis [(4′-carboxyphenoxy)methyl]-1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene (H2BCM), SiO2:Tb2(BCM)3 was prepared by the sol–gel process.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide