Advanced Materials, Vol.25, No.17, 2462-2467, 2013
Anisotropically Luminescent Hydrogels Containing Magnetically-Aligned MWCNTs-Eu(III) Hybrids
The anisotropic emission properties of an Eu(III)-MWCNTs-based nano-composite PNIPAAm hydrogel is induced upon application of a 10 T magnetic field, the latter dictating the alignment of the carbon nanotubes. This structuration creates directional highways for light to be preferentially absorbed, giving rise to orientation-dependent light emission intensity. Thermal control of the transparency of the aqueous matrix also allowed a stimulus-induced switching of the materials' emission properties.
Keywords:Eu(III) complex;MWCNTs;anisotropy;magneto-oriented material;luminescence;phase transitions;lanthanides;carbon nanotubes