Temperature dependence of the luminescence lifetime of a europium complex immobilized in different polymer matrices

The temperature dependence of the luminescence lifetime of temperature sensor films based on europium (III) thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (EuTTA) as sensor dye in various polymer matrices such as polystyrene (PS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane (PU) and model airplane dope was studied and compared. The luminescence lifetime of EuTTA was found to depend on the polymer matrix. The temperature sensitivity of lifetime was maximum for EuTTA–PS coating in the temperature range of 10–60 °C. The effect of concentration of the sensor dye in the polymer on the lifetime and temperature sensitivity was also studied.