Multiplets in Polymer Gels. Rare Earth Metal Ions Luminescence Study

Abstract

Luminescent properties of chemically cross-linked gels of europium, terbium, and neodymium salts of poly(methacrylic acid) swollen in methanol were investigated by steady state and time-resolved fluorescence. The obtained results demonstrate the aggregation of rare earth metal ions bound to the network with the formation of multiplets. The energy transfer Eu 3+ → Nd 3+ in the gel shows that multiplets consist of three to four rare earth metal ions (together with the gel countercharges). This is one of the first observations of multiplet formation in ion-containing polymer gels.