Light-Emitting Coordination Polymers: Stimuli-Responsive Gels, PMMA-Based Composite Films, and UV-Shielding

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Lanthanide-based coordination polymers (CPs) and gels (CPGs) are crucial for optical systems, image processing, and sensing.
• Developing novel CPs and CPGs with unique properties is an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize new luminescent lanthanide-based CPs and CPGs.
• To investigate their potential applications in security inks and UV-shielding materials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of lanthanide(III) ions (Eu(III), Tb(III)) with 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2:6,2-terpyridine ligand (L).
• Structural elucidation using computational studies.
• Characterization of thermoreversible gelation and stimuli-responsive behavior.
• Preparation and testing of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composite films.

Main Results:

• Two new luminescent CPs (EuL-CP (1), TbL-CP (2)) and CPGs (EuL-gel (5), TbL-gel (6)) were successfully synthesized.
• The CPGs exhibit stable thermoreversible gelation and stimuli-responsive properties.
• PMMA composites doped with CPs show effective UV-shielding capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized lanthanide-based CPs and CPGs offer promising avenues for advanced optical applications.
• The CPGs can function as invisible security inks for encryption purposes.
• The developed composite films demonstrate suitability for UV protection.