Luminescent study of Eu(OOCC6H5)3·3(H2O) complex dispersed on polyvinyl alcohol films: Crystal structure, interaction and quenching effect

•Crystal structure solution of Eu(OOCC6H5)3·3(H2O) complex.•Preparation of PVA films at different molar ratio of the complex Eu(OOCC6H5)3·3(H2O).•Morphological and luminescence studies of PVA films with europium complex.•Decrease in luminescent emission and decay time in films due to quenching effect. This study presents the preparation of a mononuclear complex of europium and benzoic acid and its interaction with polyvinyl alcohol films. The europium complex was prepared from europium (III) chloride hexahydrate (EuCl3 · 6H2O), and sodium benzoate (C7H5NaO2), and it was established that the ligand is attached to the metal ion through the carbonyl group anchored by bidentate interaction, obtaining a mononuclear complex powder with the formula Eu(OOCC6H5)3·3(H2O) (identified as EuBA3). First, the crystal structure solution for the complex powder was carried out, showing a monoclinic P2 space group with two molecules in the unit cell, the resulting crystal structure was deposited in the CCDC service with number 2370755. Afterward, the complex was deposited on polyvinyl alcohol films, to study the interactions between them, the morphological and luminescent properties were also evaluated. This work details the synthesis, of a complex made of europium and sodium benzoate and its luminescent properties as a complex deposited at different concentrations on polyvinyl alcohol films, the results obtained showed a shift in the excitation wavelength from the EuBA3 powder complex when incorporated into the PVA films. The concentration of the complex in the film increases until reaching a maximum followed by a decrease due to quenching. [Display omitted]