Facile synthesis of chitosan membrane containing Eu3+ complex with intense emission in the red region

The research on development of materials with higher efficient photoluminescent properties, is the aim of several researchers around the world. Photoluminescent materials containing Rare Earths (RE3+) can be applied in various technological sectors, mainly in light emitting devices. In this sense, this work reports on obtaining of polymeric membranes based on chitosan and gelatin containing [Eu (TTA)3(H2O)2] on the surface. The materials presented high intensity of photoluminescence emission with narrow bands attributed to the intraconfigurational 4f transitions of Eu3+. To keep the material in the desiccator containing silica gel, showed the loss of water molecule, in which contributed significantly with the intensity of emission. The lifetime values showed values between 0.42 and 0.55 ms, higher than many values reported in literature. The surface morphology of the materials showed a homogeneous profile free of cracks. The materials presented interesting photoluminescent properties that make them candidates for possible application in lighting or imaging devices.