Preparation and luminescence of silica aerogel composites containing an europium (III) phenanthroline nitrate complex

An effective activation procedure for functionalization of silica aerogel granules with [Eu(phen)2](NO3)3 and/or 1,10 - phenanthroline /phen/ has been demonstrated in order to obtain red or blue emitting materials. Luminescence spectra (excitation at 355 nm) of functionalized aerogel granules: 1 - SiO2:0.18phen; 2 - [Eu(phen)2](NO3)3; 3- SiO2:0.007Eu(phen)2(NO3)3. The Eu3+ f-f 5D0 →7F 0,1,2,3,4 emission transitions are denoted as 0-0, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4. The most probable site symmetry of Eu3+ ion is C2v.153