A novel high photoluminescence efficiency polymer incorporated with pendant europium complexes

A novel copolymer, PVK-co-MMA-co-Eu(BA)2(MAA)phen (PKMEu), was synthesized by free radical copolymeriation of 9-vinylcarbazole, methyl methacrylate with europium-methacrlate complex in THF with AIBN as initiator. The copolymer structure and composition were confirmed by FTIR, UV, 13C NMR and element analysis. The molecular weight was determined by GPC, the number-average molecular weight of PKMEu is 10,600 and exhibits a broad weight distribution. PKMEu has the glass transition temperature (Tg) of 165°C. TG measurement reveals that the decomposition temperature range of PKMEu is 390–600°C. The absolute photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency of PKMEu was measured using integrating sphere technique. It is about 40.28% with the excitation wavelength of 260 nm.