Luminescent properties of PP and LDPE films and rods doped with the Eu(III)-La(III) complex

The work is devoted to luminescent properties of trivalent lanthanide complexes dispersed in thermoplastic host matrices. Polyethylene films and polypropylene-rods, both doped with these complexes, were manufactured using an extrusion technique. Two kinds of dopants were used: Eu(III)-thenoyltrifluoroacetone-1,10-phenanthroline complex (1) and Eu(III)-La(III)-1,10-phenanthroline complex (2). Absorption, excitation, emission spectra and lifetime of luminescence were studied. The impact of the polymer matrix on the emission spectra was investigated. Emission spectra of the films were studied at room and helium temperatures. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) surface mapping showed that in the Eu(III)-La(III) complex europium forms islands (clusters) with a dimension of 1 μm, whereas lanthanum was dispersed more uniformly in the polymer matrix. Dependence of emission intensity on the excitation was determined.