Sol-gel Preparation and Luminescence Properties of Nano-structured Hybrid Materials Incorporated with Europium Complexes

The incorporation of a polymer into the silica gel matrix forms an inorganic/polymeric hybrid material (Kohjiya et al., 1990; Mascia and Koul, 1994), which can modify the mechanical properties. In the present work, Eu(TTA).phen was incorporated into a poly(methy1 methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix, and the corresponding hybrid ~naterial Si02PMMA: Eu(TTA).phen was also synthesized, so that the compositional, luminescence and thermal properties could be investigated. The ultimate aim is the development of display devices, since the hybrid matrix possesses superior thermal and mechanical properties for incorporation of luminescent europium complexes.