Eu3+, Tb3+/β-diketonate functionalized mesoporous SBA-15/GaN composites: Multi-component chemical bonding assembly, characterization, and luminescence

GaN-functionalized rare earth (Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ ) organic/inorganic mesoporous nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized (designated as RE(L SBA-15) 3 (L GaN); RE   =   Eu, Tb; L   =   TAA Si, BTA Si). The organosilane precursor materials (L SBA-15) are synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and the functionalized β-diketones (TAA Si and BTA Si) in the presence of Pluronic P123 surfactant as a template. The modified β-diketones ligands are also used to covalently bond with surface-modified GaN and formed another precursor L GaN. Both of the precursors can coordinate with rare earth ions to synthesize the final mesoporous materials via a sol–gel process. FTIR, TEM, XRD, and nitrogen (N 2 ) adsorption/desorption measurements are employed to characterize the mesostructure of RE(L SBA-15) 3 (L GaN). The luminescence properties and thermogravimetric analysis of all the prepared materials are characterized in detail, and the results reveal that a series of uniformed mesopore structure hybrid materials has been achieved. The mesoporous material Eu(BTA Si SBA-15) 3 (BTA Si GaN) has better luminescence intensity, higher quantum efficiency, and longer lifetime than Eu(TAA Si SBA-15) 3 (TAA Si GaN). While the nanocomposite Tb(TAA Si SBA-15) 3 (TAA Si GaN) revealed the strongest characteristic emission of Tb 3+ ions than Tb(BTA Si SBA-15) 3 (BTA Si GaN), the excellent luminescent properties and thermal stability enable the hybrid mesoporous material to have potential applications in optical field.