Synchronous Electrochromism and Electrofluorochromism in a Zirconium Pyrenetetrabenzoate Metal–Organic Framework

Author(s)
Abdelqader El Guerraf, Wenyi Zeng, Arthur Mantel, Elhassan Benhsina, Jia Min Chin, Hidetsugu Shiozawa
Abstract

Redox-active materials that exhibit both electrochromism and electrofluorochromism have great potential as multifunctional elements in optoelectronics. Here, in situ spectroelectrochemistry is presented on NU-1000, a zirconium pyrenetetrabenzoate metal–organic framework. A thin film of NU-1000 exhibits reversible color changes between light yellow and dark blue when subjected to an alternating electrochemical potential. In situ fluorescence excitation-emission spectral mapping elucidates a dominant blue emission of highly fluorescent electrochromic NU-1000 that is being quenched via an oxidation reaction. Density-functional theory calculations reveal the forbidden optical transition between the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) in the oxidized linker as the cause of the quenching. Double potential step chronoamperometry measures response times as fast as a dozen seconds and excellent switching stability over 500 cycles without noticeable attenuation of the color contrast. These findings provide valuable insight into the electrochromism and electrofluorochromism in metal–organic frameworks, offering exciting opportunities for developing advanced multifunctional porous materials with potential applications in optoelectronics and sensing.

Organisation(s)
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Functional Materials and Catalysis, Electronic Properties of Materials
External organisation(s)
Czech Academy of Sciences
Journal
Advanced Electronic Materials
Volume
10
No. of pages
10
ISSN
2199-160X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202300854
Publication date
04-2024
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
104005 Electrochemistry, 103018 Materials physics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/eb53205a-a49a-4a27-9885-b8b6b62380ab