Sensitization of europium(III) luminescence in water with β-diketone-poly(ethylene glycol) macroligand

Poly(ethylene glycol)-modified β-diketone macroligand is developed to sensitize europium(III) ions in water. High luminescence intensity characteristic of Eu 3+ was achieved due to spontaneous formation of micelle-like structure in which the hydrophobic core prevents luminescence-quenching by water molecules. The pH is found to induce a quantitative ratio change in two fluorescence bands from both ligand and Eu 3+ .