A luminescent ionogel based on an europium(III)-coordinated carboxyl-functionalized ionic liquid and gelatin

In this work, we report the preparation and luminescent properties of a novel luminescent ionogel consisting of a carboxyl-functionalized ionic liquid, Eu(3+) ions and gelatin. The obtained ionogel was investigated by FT-IR, SEM and photoluminescence spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra show that both the ionic liquid and the gelatin are coordinated to Eu(3+) ions through oxygen atoms. Luminescence data confirm that Eu(3+) ions are well-protected by the ionic liquid and gelatin from deleterious quenching interactions with water molecules.