Remarkable thermal stability of Eu(4-phosphonobenzoate): structure investigations and luminescence properties.

A new 3D rare-earth hybrid material Eu(p-O(3)PC(6)H(4)COO) has been synthesised by a hydrothermal route from Eu(NO(3))(3) x 5 H(2)O and the rigid precursor, 4-phosphonobenzoic acid. The structure of Eu(p-O(3)PC(6)H(4)COO) has been solved by X-ray diffraction on a powder sample and is described as an inorganic network in which both carboxylic and phosphonic acid groups are linked to Eu ions forming a three-dimensional architecture. Thermal analysis performed on this compound has underlined its remarkable stability up to 510 degrees C and an optical study has been conducted to examine its luminescence properties that have been related to the structure of the material. The structural and luminescence properties have also been compared with the related material Eu phenylphosphonate.