Effects of europium (III) acetylacetonate doping on the miscibility and photoluminescent properties of polycarbonate and poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

Blends stand out as simple and cheap materials with unique properties. The miscibility of blends formed by bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) doped with europium (III) acetylacetonate have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescent (PL) spectroscopy. DSC studies demonstrated that undoped PC/PMMA blends obtained by precipitation method present one glass transition temperature, evidencing their apparent miscibility. FTIR spectra revealed synergic effects in the PC/PMMA system as well as the incorporation of the Eu3+ complex. TGA analysis suggested that the Eu3+ complex remains preferably in the PC micro-phase. SEM analysis showed that europium (III) acetylacetonate is homogeneously distributed within the blend and PL spectra evidenced the photoluminescence of Eu3+ incorporated into the blend.