Rare earth (RE) complex photoluminescence films were conventionally prepared by blending. The RE. complexes were unevenly dispersed in the polymer matrix, thus readily quenching the fluorescence. An improved approach for preparing photoluminescence films was developed, in which the chemical or covalent bonding between the RE complex and polymer was introduced through meltgrafting polymerization. An RE complex (europium(3+)-acrylate-1,10-phenanthroline) [Eu(AA)(3)phen] was synthesized, and then grafted onto polypropylene (PP) in the melt phase to render the resin fluorescently active. The complex and the grafted PP were systematically characterized using various analytical tools including elemental analysis, TGA, IR DSC, WAXS, and fluorescence. The results indicated that the complex possessed favorable fluorescence and thermal stability, and the Eu(AA)(3)phen complex was successfully grafted onto the PP backbone. The findings from the DSC and WAXS measurements revealed that the complex acted as a nucleating agent, increasing the crystallization rate effectively and destroying the integrity of the crystallinity as well. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.