Structure and fluorescence behavior of the cellulose ester/Eu(III)/carboxylic acid coordination complexes

A series of luminous trinary coordination complexes, i.e. CMC(HEC)/Eu(III)/carboxylic acids, were synthesized, and confirmed by FTIR spectra. The relationship between their structures and luminescence characteristics were discussed. The results show that all carboxylic acids with low molecular weight participate in the coordination with Eu3+. The luminescence characteristics of the trinary coordination complexes are affected by the properties of cellulose esters, the structure and the coordination ability of carboxylic acids.