Luminescence properties of chitosan doped with europium complex

Chitosan is a natural, biodegradable and biocompatible polymer. It is transparent in UV–vis region. Nonetheless, appropriate doping may significantly change its optical properties. Chitosan film doped with Eu+3 β-diketonate complex was synthesized. Absorption, photoluminescence and time resolved decay properties of this material were investigated. It is shown, that the material exhibits excellent luminescence emission in VIS region with high quantum efficiency of approximately 47%. These exceptional properties allow for various applications of this material. In particular, it provides a good basis for the construction of biocompatible luminescent sensor. •We synthesized chitosan film doped with Eu+3 β-diketonate complex.•The material exhibits luminescence in VIS region with high quantum efficiency of 47%.•Its properties allow further application for the construction of luminescence sensors.