Transparent and luminescent ionogels composed of Eu(3+)-coordinated ionic liquids and poly(methyl methacrylate).

We report here on transparent and luminescent ionogels that consist of ionic ternary europium (III) complexes and the inexpensive non-toxic compound, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and that were formed by dissolving these complexes in methacrylate (MMA) monomers followed by in situ polymerization. The resulting ionogels show a bright red emission under near-UV light irradiation. Luminescence data confirm the energy transfer from terpyridine-functionalized ionic liquid to Eu(3+) ions.