Photostable temperature sensitive luminescent materials based on polystyrene doped by an anisometric Europium(III) complex

A polystyrene polymer and an Eu(III) anisometric complex were used to produce films with various luminophore contents. Due to its structural features (anisotropic form and long hydrocarbon substituents at molecular ends), the luminophore used in this research is an amorphous powder that is highly soluble in organic polar and nonpolar solvents as well as miscible with polymers. These features allow this luminophore to be incorporated into polymer networks without losing its luminescence efficiency due to self-quenching. The effect of temperature on the lifetime and luminescence intensity of the Eu(III) films was studied. It was found that their maximum luminescence intensity and lifetime are 2 times higher than those of other lanthanide-containing β-diketonate thermosensors. The photostability of the films was studied. It was demonstrated that the films can be used as materials for fluorescent thermometers that operate in the temperature range of 303–363 K.