Photoluminescent rare earth inorganic–organic hybrid systems with different metallic alkoxide components through 2-pyrazinecarboxylate linkage

Luminescent inorganic–organic hybrid materials have been prepared by rare earth (Eu3+ and Tb3+) 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid complexes grafted to the different inorganic components via the chemical modification of different metallic alkoxides (Ti(OCH(CH3)2)4 and Al(OCH(CH3)2)3), which are characterized with FT-IR, SEM, DSC-TG and luminescence spectra, as well as luminescence decay analysis. Especially the photoluminescence measurements indicate that the 2-pyrazinecarboxylic group can sensitize rare earth (Eu3+ and Tb3+) ions to exhibit characteristic luminescence in different hybrid hosts. The photoluminescence behaviours of Eu3+ hybrid materials (5D0–7F0 energy, the ratios of red/orange, 5D0 quantum efficiency and number of coordinated water molecules) are investigated in detail and a maximum quantum efficiency of 12.9% is found for hybrid material Eu-PZC-Al.