Luminescent thin films and nanoparticles of europium doped hybrids based on organosilyl β-diketonate

Novel organic–inorganic hybrid materials shaped as transparent films and core–shell nanoparticles were prepared by the sol–gel process from a new organo-alkoxysilane based on a β-diketonate (DBM-OH) and doped with trivalent europium ions. The resultant hybrid materials were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and electronic microscopy. Films thickness and nanoparticles size were respectively measured around 1 μm and 30 nm. The photoluminescence study, including the recording of excitation and emission spectra as well as the determination of the decay times, was investigated at room temperature. The results have pointed out an efficient ligand-to-Eu³⁺ intramolecular energy transfer resulting in a high quantum yield as determined by using an integrating sphere.