Vapor-Induced Assembly of a Platinum(II) Complex Loaded on Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoparticles

Controlled self-assembly of PtII complexes is key to the development of optical and stimuli-responsive materials, but designing and precisely controlling them is still difficult owing to weak intermolecular interactions. Herein, we report the successful water-vapor-induced assembly of an anionic PtII complex [Pt(CN)2(ppy)]- (Hppy=2-phenylpyridine) electrostatically loaded onto cationically charged layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles consisting of Mg2+ and Al3+ ions. When the PtII complexes were densely loaded onto the LDH nanoparticles, the assembly was maintained, even in dilute aqueous media. In the case of sparse loading, the PtII complexes were loaded discretely in the dry state; however, when water vapor was adsorbed, the increased mobility of the PtII complexes led to their assembly on the LDH nanoparticles. The presence of water vapor led to a drastic change in luminescence from green to orange. Anionic PtII complex molecules were electrostatically loaded onto cationic nanosheets of layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles. Although the PtII complexes were loaded discretely onto the nanoparticles in the dry state, when water vapor was adsorbed, the PtII complexes assembled on the nanoparticles owing to the increased mobility the adsorption of water caused in the interstitial space of the LDH aggregates.image

Automated summary

This study reports the successful water-vapor-induced assembly of anionic PtII complex onto cationic layered double hydroxide nanoparticles, leading to stable assembly even in dilute aqueous media. The increased mobility of PtII complexes caused by water adsorption resulted in their assembly on the LDH nanoparticles and a significant change in luminescence.