Synthesis, physicochemical and optical characterizations of a new isatin hydrazone derivative and its ZnO-complex for potential energy conversion and storage applications

We synthesized a novel isatin hydrazone derivative 3-(((E)-3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazineylidene) indolin-2-one (IL) via condensation of isatin hydrazide with 3-ethoxy-salicylaldehyde in methanol. Then ZnO was chelated with the ligand (IL) to produce a novel ZnOIL complex. The characteristics of the IL and ZnOIL compounds were compared using various techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible, infrared, and mass spectroscopy, and elemental analyses to confirm their chemical compositions. The optical properties of the IL and ZnOIL thin films were studied based on spectroscopic measurements of their absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance within the range of 300-2500 nm. The optical constants, dielectric parameters, and dispersion energies were determined and interpreted. The electronic inter-band transitions of the IL and ZnOIL films were characterized by indirect allowed transitions. The value of the optical band gap (E-g) was determined as 2.14 eV for the IL film, but chelation of IL with ZnO decreased E-g to 2.02 eV. The surface and volume energy loss functions were lower for ZnOIL compared with IL. The structural and the optical features of ZnOIL may be tuned, and thus it is a promising candidate material for applications in energy conversion and storage devices.

Automated summary

A novel isatin hydrazone derivative IL and a ZnOIL complex were synthesized and compared using various techniques in this study. The optical properties of IL and ZnOIL thin films were studied, revealing potential for ZnOIL in energy conversion and storage devices.