Eu3+ doped polyphosphate-aminosilane organic-inorganic hybrids

The preparation and characterization of new Eu3+ doped polyphosphate-aminosilane hybrids xerogels is reported. Eu3+5D0 emission quantum efficiency ranges from 0.41 to 0.54 depending on the Si/P ratio. These rather high values are due to the substitution of phosphate and amino groups for water in the Eu3+ coordination shell. Raman and 29Si and 13C CP-MAS NMR results suggest that no strong interaction exists between the polyphosphate and the siloxane parts. Not fully condensed siloxane colloidal domains seem to be homogeneously distributed in the polyphosphate network. Good optical quality and favorable Eu3+ spectroscopic characteristics suggest these new hybrids as good hosts for lanthanide ions in optical devices