[NH4][Fe(bipy)3]2[Ag6Br11]: Synthesis, structure, characterization and photocurrent response

Presented is the synthesis, structure, characterization and photoelectrical studies of a [NH 4 ] + and [Fe(bipy) 3 ] 2+ co-templated bromoargentate, namely, [NH 4 ][Fe(bipy) 3 ] 2 [Ag 6 Br 11 ]. • Compound represents a [NH 4 ] + and [Fe(bipy) 3 ] 2+ co-templated layered bromoargentate. • Compound exhibited stable and excellent photocurrent response property. • Its Hirshfeld surface, theoretical band gap and density of states have also been studied. Among the numerous halometalates, relatively the organic-inorganic hybrid bromoargentates and their applications in optoelectronics are rarely explored. In this paper, using photosensitive metal complexes as structure-directing agents, a new two-dimensional (2D) microporous bromoargentate hybrid, i.e. [NH 4 ][Fe(bipy) 3 ] 2 [Ag 6 Br 11 ] (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine), has been solvothermally constructed and structurally characterized. Compound, crystallizing in the R 3 ¯ (No. 148) space group, features a [Ag 6 Br 11 ] n 5 n − anionic layer characteristic of regular hexagonal-like windows. It has a narrow band gap ( ca. 1.90 eV) and good aqueous/thermal stability, which endowed the title compound with stable and excellent photoelectric switching performances. Under the visible light irradiation, the average photocurrent on/off ratio reached 3.0 μA·cm −2 , significantly exceeding those of some metal halide analogues. Also, its sensitivity could be further enhanced when applying a biased potential or exposed to the improved light intensity. The Hirshfeld surface analyses, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical studies of title compound have also been performed.