Binary and Ternary Heterometallic (La(3+), Gd(3+), Y(3+))–Eu(3+) Functionalized SBA-15 Mesoporous Hybrids: Chemically Bonded Assembly and Photoluminescence

A novel kind of organic–inorganic monomer SUASi has been achieved by modifying 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SUA) with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS), subsequently binary and ternary Eu(3+) mesoporous hybrid materials with 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SUA)-functionalized SBA-15 and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) are synthesized by co-condensation of SUASi and TEOS in the presence of Eu(3+) complex and Pluronic P123 as a template. Finally, luminescent hybrid mesoporous materials consisting of active rare earth ions (Eu(3+))—inert rare earth ions (Y(3+), La(3+), Gd(3+)) complex covalently bonded to the mesoporous materials network have been obtained via this sol–gel approach. The physical characterization and photoluminescence of all these resulting materials are studied in detail. Especially the luminescent behavior has been studied with the different ratios of Eu(3+)–(Y(3+), La(3+), Gd(3+)), which suggests that the existence of inert rare earth ions can enhance the luminescence intensity of Eu(3+). This may be due to the intramolecular energy transfer between Y(3+), La(3+), Gd(3+), and Eu(3+) through the covalently bonded mesoporous framework.