Two heterometallic silver-iodoplumbates with [Fe(phen)3]2+ complexes: Syntheses, structures, photocurrent responses and theoretical studies

Abstract

Using in-situ formed [Fe(phen)3]2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) complexes as templates, we solvothermally obtained and structurally characterized two new heterometallic silver-iodoplumbate hybrids, namely, [Fe(phen)3]AgPb2I7 (1) and [Fe(phen)3]2Ag3Pb2I11 (2). Single crystal X-ray diffraction results show that 1 features the one-dimensional (1D) chain-like anions of [AgPb2I7]2−, while 2 contains the discrete [AgI2] dumbbells and 1D [Ag2Pb2I9]3− anions. Solid state optical diffuse reflectance analyses indicate that the title compounds have the semiconductor behaviors, with the narrow optical band gap values of 1.80 and 1.85 eV, respectively. Under the alternate visible light irradiation, compounds 1 and 2 display interesting photoelectric conversion properties, with the photocurrent densities of approximately 0.10 μA cm−2 for 1 and 0.22 μA cm−2 for 2. In addition, the thermal stabilities, Hirshfeld surface analyses and theoretical calculations of title compounds have also been discussed.