Novel light-conversion hybrids of SBA-16 functionalized with rare earth (Eu3+, Nd3+, Yb3+) complexes of modified 2-methyl-9-hydroxyphenalenone and 1,10-phenanthroline

Novel rare earth complex-functionalized mesoporous SBA-16-type hybrid materials are synthesized by the co-condensation of modified 2-methyl-9-hydroxyphenalenone (MHPOSi), from modified 3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl isocyanate (TEPIC), and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of Pluronic F127 as a template. These inorganic–organic mesoporous hybrids are characterized by FT-IR spectra, small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD), N2 adsorption–desorption measurements, thermal analysis and spectroscopy. Their photophysical properties, which show novel light conversion properties, are discussed in detail. The Eu3+ hybrid system shows ultraviolet excitation and visible emission, and the Nd+ and Yb3+ hybrids exhibit visible excitation and NIR emission.