Luminescent composite based on epoxy polymer and silica nanoparticles doped by terbium(III) complex

The interaction of the NPEL-128 epoxy oligomer with silica nanoparticles doped with terbium(III) complex with p -sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene was studied for two types of nanoparticles: possessing silanol hydroxyl groups on the non-modified surface of the nanoparticles (SNs) or amino and hydroxyl groups on the amino-modified silica surface (ASNs). The possible reaction schemes of amino and hydroxyl groups on the surface of ASNs with epoxy molecules were revealed using IR spectroscopy and DSC. Based on the obtained data, a method for producing epoxy nanocomposites was developed, and their thermophysical, physicomechanical, and luminescent properties were investigated. The chemical bonding of epoxy with ASNs compared with that of SNs allows one to obtain a higher dispersion and uniform distribution of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, as well as to increase the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Due to the presence of terbium(III) complex in silica nanoparticles, the cured epoxyamine polymer filled by ASNs exhibits luminescent properties. Graphical abstract