Photoluminescent organic–inorganic composite films layer-by-layer self-assembled from the rare-earth-containing polyoxometalate Na9[EuW10O36] and poly(allylamine hydrochloride)

Photoluminescent organic–inorganic composite films incorporating the rare-earth-containing polyoxometalate Na9[EuW10O36] (EW) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) have been prepared by the layer-by-layer self-assembly method. UV-vis spectroscopy and ellipsometry were used to follow the fabrication process of the EW/PAH composite films. The experimental results show that the deposition process is linear and highly reproducible from layer to layer. An average EW/PAH bilayer thickness of ca. 2.1 nm was determined by ellipsometry. In addition, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images of the EW/PAH composite films indicate that the film surface is relatively uniform and smooth. The photoluminescent properties of these films were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy.