Green host urethanesil based on castor oil doped with Eu3+ complex

Polymers based on vegetable oils can be suitable candidates for the replacement of fossil polymers, for instance, polyurethanes (PU) based on castor oil . However, the synthesis PU materials are normally carried out using organic solvents , metals, and high temperatures. To overcome these problems, the sol-gel route is an alternative approach based on mild conditions to produce organic-inorganic hybrid urethanesil (Ut) environmentally friendly. Therefore, in this study, we proposed an organic-inorganic hybrid (OIH) synthesis based on castor oil (CO)-derived Ut, as well as the incorporation and interaction of europium β-diketone [Eu(tta) 3 (H 2 O) 2 ] in organic-inorganic hybrid matrix. The Ut self-supporting hybrid was synthesized from the reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate (ICPTES) and CO in a 3:1 M ratio. The films were obtained using the sol-gel process, following the casting method. The CO-based OIH-Ut films showed high transmittance in the visible and infrared spectrum (90%), and urethanesil showed photoluminescence (PL) with emission at 416.0 nm when excited at 319.0 nm. The results also revealed an increase in the intrinsic quantum yield of PL ( Q L E u ) for [Eu(tta) 3 (H 2 O) 2 ]. It has been verified a Q L E u value of 27% for the isolated complex, whereas when it is incorporated into OIH-Ut a value of 49% was observed.