Micro-meter size organogelator with tri-color luminescence (blue, green and red) activated by Dy3+, Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions.

The preparation of a novel type of low-molecular-weight amphiphilic organogelator bearing three long 14-alkyl chains and hydrophilic oligo(oxyethylene) groups was described. Ultra-violet absorption and fluorescence spectra give evidence of the energy transfer between organic ligands to lanthanide ions. Characteristic green, blue and red luminescence of the organogels were obtained and interesting emission properties of terbium, dysprosium and europium ions were unexpectedly observed at the first time during the order-disorder phase transition point (29 degrees C).