Enhanced red emissions of europium() chelates in DNA-CTMA complexes

DNA-based functional materials are of great interest in electrical and optical device applications. In this paper, novel DNA-based photo-functional materials were fabricated by associating a DNA-lipid complex with a luminescent Eu( iii ) complex. Interactions between DNA-lipid and Eu( iii ) complexes were investigated by photophysical measurements in both solution and film states. The emission properties of the Eu( iii ) complex were improved by association with the DNA-lipid complex in the film state. The emission intensity, quantum yield, and thermal stability of the Eu( iii ) complex hosted by the DNA-lipid matrix were superior to those of the complex in a conventional poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix. Furthermore, the Eu( iii ) complex in the DNA-lipid film showed circularly polarized luminescence through excitation of the ligand moiety. The chiral environment of the DNA matrix provides optical chirality to the interacting Eu( iii ) complex. Incorporation of a europium( iii ) complex in DNA-CTMA enhances red emission and induces circularly polarized luminescence.