Synthesis of silica/rare-earth complex hybrid luminescence materials with cationic surfactant and their photophysical properties

Fluorescence-labeling SiO 2 microspheres (SiO 2 @CTAB@Eu(DBM) 3 phen complexes) were prepared in a physisorption method, which the cationic surfactant CTAB was used to modified the surface of SiO 2 through electrostatic interaction and then rare earth (Eu(DBM) 3 phen) was attached onto the modified SiO 2 microspheres by means of intermolecular force . The as-prepared phosphors were characterized by techniques of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimeter (TGA-DSC), and photoluminescence spectra (PL). The results showed that the phosphors exhibited a strong red emission peak under the excitation wavelength of 360 nm and fluorescence quantum efficiency up to 59.8%. The fluorescent intensity increased with the increment of Eu(DBM) 3 phen addition from 7.0 wt% to 17.0 wt%. Meanwhile, SiO 2 @CTAB@Eu(DBM) 3 phen complexes can maintain its luminescence in the alkaline solution with pH of 8–12. Additionally, they exhibited outstanding thermal stability. Properties and preparation method of phosphors provide an important basis for application in optoelectronic devices, bio-imaging and the packing structural composites .