Synthesis and Characterization of Rare Earth/Polyurethane Composite Material

Abstract

The organic ligand sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) which was selected as molecular bridge for sensitization of terbium ions was modified by thionyl chloride (SOCl2) and 3-ammonium propyl triethoxy silane (APTES) to obtain the hybrid precursor SSA-Si. Then the solution of Tb (NO3)3was added in the presence of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). The binary lanthanide organic/inorganic hybrid material was obtained. The ternary hybrid material was obtained by adding the solution of Tb (NO3)3and polyurethane. We investigated the thermal stability and luminescence properties of hybrids and found that the ternary hybrid materials exhibit better thermal stability and stronger emission intensity. Furthermore, compared with the binary mesoporous material Tb-(SSA-Si)3, the ternary mesoporous material Tb-(SSA-Si)3-PU exhibits the characteristic emission of the Tb3+ion with a higher luminescence intensity, suggesting that the introduction of polymer polyurethane into the mesoporous matrix is of benefit for the sensitization of Tb3+luminescence, by replacing H2O groups that can quench the luminescence of Tb3+ion.