Eu3+/block copolymer nanostructured hybrid materials

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a series of nanostructured organic-inorganic hybrid materials based on functional diblock copolymers and Eu3+ salts is reported. The organic block copolymers were prepared by anionic polymerization and contain a block carrying functional groups, able to complex with Eu3+ cations (i.e. ethylene oxide, 2-vinylpyridine, sulfonate or methacrylic acid units) and a 'neutral' non-interacting hydrocarbon block as a structure participating component (i.e. polystyrene or poly(tert butylstyrene)). In these materials the diblock is acting as the nanostructured matrix (having lamellar, cylindrical or spherical morphologies) as well as the inorganic cation fixation agent, whereas the Eu3+ component provides the optical response to the hybrids. The novel materials were characterized using infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy