Rare-earth ternary complexes EUXLa1-x(TTA)(3)Dipy (X = 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1.0) were synthesized. Characterization with DTA-TG, IR, elemental analysis and fluorescent spectra had also been carried out. It is found that the enhanced luminescence of Eu3+ ions by La3+ ions occurs in ternary complexes, and when X = 0.25, Eu0.25La0.75(TTA)(3)Dipy has the highest luminescence efficiency and lifetime. It is proved by TG curve that the complexes are stable, and we monitored the spectra of EuXLa1-X(TTA)(3)Dipy[PVK:Eu-X La1-X(TTA)(3)Dipy/BCP/AlQ/Al] at the different rate r min(-1). The results showed that the La3+ ion acts as all energy transfer bridge that helps energy transfer from PVK to Eu3+. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.