Formation of thin luminescent Eu3+-LB films by in situ coordination with 2,3,5,6-tetra(2′-pyridyl)pyrazine and 1-octadecanol in pure and mixed Langmuir monolayers

► In situ complexation of Eu (III) ions with 1-octadecanol and tppz. ► Formation of thin luminescent Eu(III)-LB films. ► EDS and luminescence studies attest to the presence of Eu(III) in the films. ► Eu(III) coordinates with both tppz and alcohol molecules at air/liquid interface. ► Relatively strong luminescence is observed in LB-films containing only Eu(III) and O-H oscillators.