Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.137, No.14, 4681-4689, 2015
Electrochromic Bis(terpyridine)metal Complex Nanosheets
A series of electrochromic metal complex nanosheets comprising 1,3,5-tris(4-(2,2':6',2?-terpyridyl)phenyl)benzene or 1,3,5-tris((2,2':6',2"-terpyridyl)ethynyl)benzene and Fe2+ or Co2+ was synthesized. The preparation of multilayered nanosheets was achieved by liquid/liquid interfacial synthesis using an organic ligand solution and an aqueous metal-ion solution. The resultant nanosheet had a flat, smooth morphology and was several hundreds of nanometers thick. Upon its deposition on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode, the nanosheet underwent a reversible and robust redox reaction (Fe3+/Fe2+ or Co2+/Co+) accompanied by a distinctive color change. Electrochromism was achieved in a solidified device composed of the nanosheet, a pair of ITO electrodes, and a polymer-supported electrolyte. The combination of Fe2+ and Co2+ nanosheets in one device-deposited on each ITO electrode-demonstrated dual-electrochromic behavior.