A white-light-emitting ion gel composed of a poly[(2-(4-vinylphenyl)ethene-1,1,2-triyl)tribenzene-b-ethylene glycol-b-(2-(4-vinylphenyl)ethene-1,1,2-triyl)tribenzene] aggregation-induced emission (AIE) network and a poly([2,2':6',2″-terpyridin]-4'-yl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) Eu3+-doped network was fabricated via a solution mixing process. This ion gel exhibits special multistimuli-responsive properties, and it can change its luminescent color by changing pH, temperature, or the solvent. The unique color-changing property is attributed to the different luminescent mechanisms of the AIE/Eu3+-doped polymer networks. The former is affected by changes in its aggregation state, while the latter is controlled by the dynamic metal-ligand cross-linking bonds. Furthermore, owing to the interpenetrating networks formed by the two polymers, the hybrid gel has both good mechanical strength and flexibility. It may be used in the fields of sensors, probes, and light-emitting materials.
Keywords: Eu fluorescence; aggregation-induced emission; ion gel; multistimuli-responsive material; white-light-emitting material.