Smart pH sensitive luminescent hydrogel based on Eu(III) β-diketonate complex and its enhanced photostability

A luminescent hydrogel was successfully prepared by immobilizing an europium(III) tetrakis(β-diketonate) complex into a gallate-based hydrogelator. The Eu(III) emission in hydrogel media was switched reversibly “on-off” as a function of pH and the corresponding thermal and photostabilities dramatically increased compared with its solution sample.