Pb[NC5H3(CO2)(2)]: a white light emitting single component coordination polymer revealing high quantum efficiency and thermal stability

Abstract

A lead-based coordination polymer, Pb[NC5H3(CO2)(2)], has been synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction by combining Pb(NO3)(2), 2,6-NC5H3(CO2H)(2), and H2O at 180 degrees C. Pb[NC5H3(CO2)(2)] exhibits a rhombic-like pseudo-two-dimensional (2D) structure consisting of PbO4N polyhedra and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate linkers that are connected through O and N atoms. Photoluminescence measurement reveals that Pb[NC5H3(CO2)(2)] is a single component white light emitting material with a remarkably high quantum efficiency. Thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction performed at different temperatures indicate that Pb[NC5H3(CO2)(2)] displays a very high thermal stability. A complete characterization including infrared and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy are also presented.