The synthesis, characterization of picolinic acid:Eu3 + complex in SiO2 xerogels and energy transfer from picolinic acid to Eu3 +1

Picolinic acid:Eu3+ complex was formed in SiO2 xerogels through an in-situ synthesis technique. The complex in SiO2 xerogels was determined by fluorescence spectra, infrared (IR) spectra, which compared picolinic acid:Eu3 + in the xerogel with the complex synthesized in aqueous solution. The energy transfer and thermal stability of the complex in SiO2 xerogels were also studied. The results showed that, in SiO2 xerogels, the energy transfer from picolinic acid to Eu3+ improves the luminescence intensity of Eu3+ by a factor of more than 100 and the complex can exist stable at 400°C.