Preparation and characterization of encapsulation of europium complex into meso-structured silica monoliths using PEG as the template

Europium complex, Eu(BA)(3)Phen (BA = benzoic acid and Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was encapsulated in meso-structured silica monoliths, which were using PEG (PEG = polyethylene glycol) as a low cost template and synthesized via sol-gel methods. The monoliths were silylated by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) before wet impregnation. Samples were characterized by BET, infrared spectroscopy, and fluorescence measurements. The results showed that the lanthanide complexes were dispersed in the channels of silylated meso-structured monoliths. Compared with the pure complex, the molar percentage luminescent intensity and the luminescence lifetime of the assembly increased, respectively. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.