Micellization and luminescence of PEG-b-P4VP/Europium(III)/1,10-phenanthroline complex

Luminescent micelles were prepared through the self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PEG(114)-b-P4VP(61)) and Europium(III) (Eu(III)), with P4VP/Eu(III) as the core, and PEG as the corona. 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) was assembled into the core of the micelles to sensitize the luminescence. The presence of Phen results into the increasing of apparent average hydrodynamic diameters (D(h)(app)) of the micelles. All Eu(III)-containing micelles emitted the characteristic fluorescence of Eu(III). The intensity of luminescence increased with the presence and the increasing quantity of Phen in the complex micelles due to the effective energy transferring of Phen in the "antenna effect".