Three Iodoargentate-Based Hybrids Decorated by Metal Complexes: Structures, Optical/Photoelectric Properties and Theoretical Studies

So far, the development of new iodoargentate-based hybrids, especially those compounds with metal complex cations, and the understanding of their structure-activity relationships have been of vital importance but full of challenges. Herein, using the in-situ-generated metal complex cations as structural directing agents, three new iodoargentate-based hybrids, namely, [Co(phen)3]Ag2PbI6 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; 1), [Ni(5,5-dmpy)3]Ag7I9·CH3CN (5,5-dmpy = 5,5-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridine; 2) and [Co(5,5-dmpy)3]Ag5I8 (3), have been solvothermally prepared and then structurally characterized. Compound 1 represents one new heterometallic Ag-Pb-I compound characteristic of the chain-like [Ag2PbI6]n2n- anions. Compound 2 features the straight one-dimensional (1D) [Ag7I9]n2n- anionic moieties, while compound 3 contains infrequent two types of curved [Ag5I8]n3n- anions. Optical properties reveal that the title compounds exhibit interesting semiconductor behaviors with the band gaps of 1.59-2.78 eV, which endow them with good photoelectric switching performances under the alternate light irradiations. We also present their Hirshfeld surface analyses, and the theoretical studies (band structures, density of states (DOS) and partial density of states (PDOS)).

Two [Co(bipy)3]3+-Templated Silver Halobismuthate Hybrids: Syntheses, Structures, Photocurrent Responses, and Theoretical Studies

Employing in situ-generated metal complexes as structural decorating agents, we, for the first time, isolated two [Co(bipy)₃]³⁺-templated silver halobismuthate hybrids, namely [Co(bipy)₃]₂Ag₄Bi₂X₁₆ (X = Br (1), I (2); bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine). Compounds 1 and 2 belong to the isomorphic phrases and exhibit the nonperovskite structures characteristic of the discrete [Ag₄Bi₂X₁₆]^6- anions. UV-vis absorption spectra analyses showed that the optical band gaps of compounds 1 and 2 are 2.40 and 1.95 eV, respectively, implying the visible light responding semiconductor properties. Moreover, under the alternate light illumination, the title compounds exhibited "on/off" photocurrent behaviors, with high photocurrent densities comparable to many metal halide hybrids. Presented in this work also involved the Hirshfeld surface analyses and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies together with the theoretical band structures, density of states, and electron wave functions.

Deep-Red Luminescent Cuprous-Lead Bromide as a Dual-Responsive Sensor for Fe3+ and Cr2O72

Both optically active 1-tetrazole-4-imidazole-benzene (TIB) with bifunctional azole groups and heterometals were utilized to build a new type of one-dimensional (1-D) hybrid cuprous-lead bromide [PbCu₂Br₄(TIB)₂]_n (1), which exhibits infrequent deep-red luminescent emission at 704 nm with a large Stokes shift of 321 nm. Owing to the existence of rare free Lewis basic imidazole groups, 1 can be used as the sole dual-responsive luminescent sensor for the efficient and selective detection of Fe³⁺ and Cr₂O₇^2- in an aqueous solution.

2-D Heterometallic Pb-Iodoargentate Framework [PbAg2I6]n with a Diskoid [Pb(18-crown-6)]2+ Linker and Cocatalyst for Synergistically Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties via g-C3N4 Doping

The heterometallic Pb-iodoargentate hybrid [Pb(18-crown-6)(PbAg₂I₆)]_n (1; 18-crown-6 = 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane) was prepared via self-assembly of the tetrahedal AgI₄ and octahedral PbI₆ primary units using crown ether 18-crown-6 as an organic ligand in DMF solvent. The hybrid heterocomposite cocatalyst based on 1 and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was prepared by a facile solvothermal method. In 1, the dimeric units Ag₂I₆ and Pb₂I₁₀ are joined via face sharing, leading to a ternary heterometallic 1-D [PbAg₂I₆^2-]_n chain containing novel Ag₂Pb₂I₄ cubes. The 1-D chains are joined by the discoid [Pb(18-crown-6)]²⁺ complex cations, forming the 2-D [Pb(18-crown-6)(PbAg₂I₆)]_n hybrid with the skeleton of [Pb₂Ag₂I₆]_n. Compound 1 shows photocatalytic activity in the degradation of MB at room temperature under visible-light irradiation. The photoelectric response measurement showed that the photocurrent of 1 increased from 1.41 to 2.43 μA/cm^-2 when g-C₃N₄ was loaded, indicating that the introduction of a certain amount of g-C₃N₄ on the surface of 1 improves the separation and migration rate of photoinduced electrons and holes. The 1/g-C₃N₄ composite showed much higher photocatalytic efficiency in comparison to pristine 1 and g-C₃N₄ for MB degradation, which suggests the synergistic effect between 1 and g-C₃N₄ toward visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance. Meanwhile, the 1/g-C₃N₄ composite exhibited good reusability and stability in the photocatalytic reaction. Free radical quenching experiments showed that the ^•O₂^- radical is the main reactive substance over catalyst 1, while h⁺, ^•OH, and ^•O₂^- species have synergistic effects over the 1/g-C₃N₄ composite catalyst in the process of photodegradation.

The influence of ZnO loading amount on the photocatalytic performance of Fe3O4@SiO2@ZnO–Ag composites toward the degradation of organic pollutants and hydrogen evolution

Magnetically reusable Fe3O4@SiO2@ZnO-Ag with well-designed core-shell structure, controllable ZnO loading amount and excellent photocatalytic ability toward organic pollutants degradation and hydrogen evolution were synthesized.

Transition-Metal-Complex-Directed Synthesis of Hybrid Iodoargentates with Single-Crystal to Single-Crystal Structural Transformation and Photocatalytic Properties

We synthesized and characterized three types of isostructural iodoargentates, [TM(phen)₃]Ag₂I₄·3DMF (TM = Co (1), Ni (2), Zn (3)), [TM(phen)₃]Ag₃I₅·DMF (TM = Co (4), Ni (5), Zn (6)), and [TM(phen)₃]₂Ag₈I₁₂·7DMF (TM = Co (7), Ni (8), Zn (9)) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, DMF = dimethylformamide) using transition-metal (TM) complexes as the structure-directing agents. Compounds 1-3 and compounds 4-6 feature zero-dimensional anionic [Ag₄I₈]^4- and [Ag₆I₁₀]^4- clusters, respectively. All of the [TM(phen)₃]²⁺ cations in compounds 1-6 are arranged into a two-dimensional (2D) (6,3) net layer. Interestingly, compounds 1-3 are kinetically unstable in the mother solution, and they can be converted to compounds 4-6 via irreversible single-crystal to single-crystal transformation processes, respectively, with distinct changes in the crystal morphology and structure. Compounds 7-9 feature one-dimensional (1D) zigzag chains constructed from [Ag₈I₁₂]^4- units. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance measurements demonstrate that compounds 1-9 possess the characteristics of semiconductors with band gaps of 2.58-2.71 eV and visible-light-irradiation-induced photocatalytic activities. Especially, compound 3 possesses higher photocatalytic degradation activity toward crystal violet (CV) and rhodamine B (RhB) in comparison to P25 under identical conditions. Moreover, the mechanism study reveals that the TM complex cations make a great contribution to the photocatalytic activity.

Broad-band luminescence involving fluconazole antifungal drug in a lead-free bismuth iodide perovskite: Combined experimental and computational insights

The synthesis and characterization of a lead-free perovskite-type material, (C₁₃H₁₄N₆F₂O)₂ Bi₂I₁₀ is reported. It exhibits a zero-dimensional (0D) Bi₂I₁₀^4- octahedral unit, surrounded by a flexible tripodal antifungal ligand (H₂Fluconazole)²⁺. The several intermolecular interactions of the independent cation and the bismuth iodide octahedra were tested via the Hirshfeld surface analysis. The detailed interpretation of the vibrational modes was carried out. The band gap (Eg) of 2.10 eV agrees with the theoretical values. Upon photoexcitation, the crystals exhibit a broadband green emission peaked at 534 nm, which originates from electronic transitions within the inorganic cluster [Bi₂I₁₀]^4-. The theoretical calculations were carried out using DFT and TD-DFT methods to appraise the molecular geometry, vibrational spectra, electronic absorption spectra, frontier molecular orbitals (FOMs) and global reactivity descriptors. Calculations reveal that the energy gap (Eg) and other chemical reactivity descriptors are primarily linked to the inorganic anion and the triazolium rings (A and B) of the organic cation reflecting their importance in the activity and the antioxidant ability of the molecule.

Hybrid iodoplumbates with metal complexes: syntheses, crystal structures, band gaps and photoelectric properties

With the in situ-generated [Pb(MCP)₄]²⁺ (HMCP⁺ = 1-methyl-4-(carboxyl)pyridinium) or [M(phen)₃]²⁺ (M = Co, Fe and Ni; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) complexes as structural directing agents and charge-balancing ions, we solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized four new organic-inorganic hybrid iodoplumbates. Compound K₂[Pb(MCP)₄]Pb₃I₁₀ (1) represents the first K⁺ and [Pb(MCP)₄]²⁺ co-templated hybrid haloplumbate, and exhibits a curve-like anionic layer of [Pb₃I₁₀]_n^4n-. Compounds [M(phen)₃]Pb₂I₆·CH₃CN (M = Co (2), Fe (3) and Ni (4)) have isostructural phases, and feature a one-dimensional (1D) [Pb₂I₆]_n^2n- anionic chain characteristic of pyramid-like [PbI₅] units. The optical property studies show that compounds 1-4 exhibit semiconductor behaviors with the band gaps of 1.98-2.68 eV. In addition, the title compounds exhibited interesting photoelectrical responsive properties, with the photocurrent density in the order of 1 > 3 > 2 > 4. The thermal stabilities of the title compounds 1-4, as well as the theoretical band structure and density of states (DOS) of compounds 1 and 2 have also been studied.

Photochromism and photocatalysis of organic–inorganic hybrid iodoargentates modulated by argentophilic interactions

A series of organic–inorganic hybrid iodoargentates exhibit photochromic and photocatalytic properties, which could be effectively modulated by argentophilic interactions.

Bisimidazole-based phosphorescent thiocyanatocadmates

Simple room-temperature self-assemblies between Cd2+ salts, SCN- and bisimidazole molecules at pH = 2 created three new organically templated thiocyanatocadmates [H2(L1)][Cd(SCN)4]·H2O (L1 = 1,4-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene) 1, [H2(L2)][Cd(SCN)4] (L2 = 1,3-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)propane) 2, and [H2(L3)][Cd2(SCN)6] (L3 = 1,4-bis(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)butane) 3. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis reveals that (i) in 1-3, the SCN- groups doubly bridge the Cd2+ centers to form different thiocyanatocadmates: a linear chain in 1; a zigzag chain in 2; and a 2-D layer network (63 net) in 3; and (ii) in 1, via Nbase-HNSCN interactions, the L1 molecules extend the thiocyanatocadmate chains into a 2-D supramolecular layer, whereas in 2, the zigzag thiocyanatocadmate chains self-assemble into a 3-D supramolecular network via weak SS interactions. Photoluminescence analysis indicates that the three title compounds all emit light: blue light for 1 and 2 and green light for 3. At low temperatures, the emission positions of the three compounds hardly change, but the emission intensities are largely enhanced. Interestingly, after turning off the UV lamp, 1 and 2 still briefly emit light (ca. 2 s), which means that 1 and 2 possess phosphorescence properties. Phosphorescence lifetimes at 77 K are 1619 ms for 1 and 247 ms for 2.

Transition metal complex dye-sensitized 3D iodoplumbates: syntheses, structures and photoelectric properties

The first types of transition metal complex cationic dye-sensitized 3D hybrid porous iodoplumbates exhibiting outstanding visible light-driven photoelectric properties.

Two novel donor–acceptor hybrid heterostructures with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties

The ternary combination of metal cations, CuI and viologen based carboxylate leads to two donor–acceptor hybrid heterostructures, which exhibit highly efficient photocatalytic degradation activities towards organic dyes under visible light irradiation.

New photoluminescent iodoargentates with bisimidazole derivatives as countercations

In this article, three bisimidazole derivatives (1,4-bis(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)butane, L1; 4,4′-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1,1′-biphenyl, L2′; and 1,3-bis(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)propane, L3) were employed to solvothermally react with AgI in an acidic environment, creating three new 1-D chained iodoargentates [H(L1)][Ag₅I₆]·DMF (DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide) 1, [L2][Ag₃I₅] (L2²⁺ = 4,4′-di(1H-imidazol-1-ium)-1,1′-biphenyl) 2, and [H₂(L3)][Ag₂I₄] 3. L2²⁺ in 2 originated from the in situ N-alkylation of L2′ with the CH₃OH solvent. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis reveals that (i) in 1, Ag⁺ and I⁻ aggregate to form a 1-D tube-like iodoargentate, which exhibits the same topology as the carbon tube; (ii) the chain structure of the iodoargentate in 2 is based on a kind of trinuclear Ag–I cluster, which can be viewed as a segment of the classical cubic M₄I₄ cluster; (iii) the chain structure of the iodoargentate in 3 is simple, which can be described as a linear arrangement of the AgI₄ tetrahedra by sharing edges. The photoluminescence analysis reveals that at 77 K, (i) 1 and 2 emit strong yellow light with ms-grade photoluminescence lifetimes (5.460 ms for 1, 6.931 ms for 2); (ii) 3 possesses photochromic luminescence properties. Upon excitation at 254 nm, it emits blue-green light, whereas upon excitation at 365 nm, it emits yellow light.

Three bisimidazole-based chained iodoargentates were solvothermally synthesized, and their photoluminescent behaviors at different temperatures were investigated. Of those, 3 has been found to possess photochromic luminescence properties.

Novel isomorphism of two hexagonal non-centrosymmetric hybrid crystals of M(en)3Ag2I4 (M = transition metal Mn2+ or main-group metal Mg2+; en = ethylenediamine)

For the first time, a main-group metal complex is used as a template for the formation of hybrid crystal structures and isomorphic hybrid crystals are obtained using transition and main-group metal complexes.