Bis(dipyrrinato) metal(II) coordination polymers: crystallization, exfoliation into single wires, and electric conversion ability

One-dimensional coordination polymers (1D-CPs) tend either to dissociate into constitutive ligands and metals readily in solution, or to aggregate randomly and amorphously, which prevents them from widespread application. In the present research, 1D-CPs comprising bridging dipyrrin ligands and divalent metal ions (Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+) are synthesized. A liquid/liquid interfacial reaction gives rise to single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis: A dichloromethane solution of the ligand is layered with aqueous metal(II) acetate, such that the coordination reaction proceeds at the liquid/liquid interface. Isolated single fibers of the zinc coordination polymer may be exfoliated from the single crystal or bulk solid upon ultrasonication. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) detects the isolated fibers with lengths of more than several mm. The exfoliated 1D-CP wires feature good processability, realizing a conjugate with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and a thin film on a transparent SnO2 electrode. The processed materials show electric conversion ability: For example, the modified SnO2 electrode serves as a photoanode for a photoelectric conversion system. The designability and tunability of the present 1D-CPs is demonstrated by a ligand modification, affording a luminescent property and an extension of the photoelectric conversion response to longer wavelengths.