Oxygen sensitive electrospun nanofibers doped with rare earth complexes: Characterization and performance

Eu(III) complex/polymer composite nanofibers of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and europium complex Eu(N-DIIQ)(TTA)3 (N-DPIQ = N-ethyl-dipyrido [f,h] indolo [3,2-b] quinoxaline, TTA = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) are prepared by electrospinning. The composite nanofibers are characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Infrared absorption spectra (IR), and luminescence intensity quenching upon various oxygen concentrations. It is observed that the Eu(III) complex/polymer composite nanofibers exhibit a strong oxygen dependent characteristic. The oxygen-sensing properties of the composite nanofibers with different loading levels of Eu(III) complex are compared. •The energy transfer mechanism between ligands and Eu(III) center is studied.•Oxygen-sensing properties of the Eu(III) complex in poly(vinylpyrrolidone) prepared by electrospinning are investigated.•The decrease of emission intensity for Eu(III) complex is caused by the ground state oxygen quenching on antenna ligands.•Composite nanofiber exhibits a sensitivity of 2.43, a short response time of 10 s, and good linearity.