Synthesis and characterization of ordered mesoporous silica containing di-ureasil hybrid/phosphotungstic acid and Eu3+

Multifunctional composite (MFC) di-ureasil hybrid synthesized by sol gel method containing phosphotungstic acid (PWA) and Eu3+ ions have been successfully incorporated into mesoporous silica (SBA-15) by post-synthesis method. MFC were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), nitrogen adsorption–desorption (NAI), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and also photoluminescence. FTIR showed that both di-ureasil and PWA were incorporated into the mesoporous silica. NAI, TEM and SAXS confirmed the incorporation of the PWA and di-ureasil into the mesoporous of SBA-15. Composites are thermal stable at about 240 °C and photoluminescence has demonstrated that Eu3+ ions were successfully entrapped and occupies local environment with low symmetry.