Optical properties of europium(III) β-diketonate/polymer-doped systems using supercritical carbon dioxide

The optical properties of fluoropolymers and polypropylene doped with europium(III) β-diketonates Eu(L) 3 ·2H 2 O and Eu(L) 3 phen (L: fod=6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionato, bta=4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione, tta=4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione, and phen=1,10-phenanthroline) using supercritical carbon dioxide were investigated by absorption and emission spectra. A comparative analysis of the PL decay times of Eu 3+ ions in the initial europium (III) β-diketonates and impregnated fluoropolymers was carried out. The supercritical fluid (SCF) impregnation of polymer samples with europium(III) β-diketonates containing 1,10-phenanthroline was found to be obstructed differently depending on the type of ligand in the entire investigated impregnation temperature range ( T SCF =50–90 °С). It is shown that from the variety of Eu(L) 3 phen only Eu(fod) 3 phen can be introduced into the polymer matrix by this method. ► The optical properties of polymers doped with Eu 3+ β-diketonates using SC CO 2 were investigated. ► A comparative analysis of the PL decay times in the initial Eu 3+ β-diketonates and doped polymers was carried out. ► The SC CO 2 impregnation of polymers with Eu 3+ β-diketonates containing 1,10-phenanthroline was found to be obstructed.