Preparation and photoluminescence properties of functionalized silica materials incorporating europium complexes

Abstract In the present work, the surface of the Eu–BTC = [Eu(EMA)(H2O)2], [Eu(TLA)(H2O)4] and [Eu(TMA)(H2O)6] complexes (EMA = 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylate, TLA = 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylate and TMA = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) was modified using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) by a new microwave assisted method that proved to be simple and efficient. According to our observations, the most efficient luminescence is the material based on APTES incorporating [Eu(TMA)(H2O)6] complexes, denoted as Eu–TMA–Si, shows the highest emission efficiency. Therefore, it is proposed as a promising material for molecular conjugation in clinical diagnosis.