Highly Efficient Multiphoton Absorption of Zinc-AIEgen Metal-Organic Frameworks

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials offer unique photoluminescent properties.
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide versatile platforms for functional material design.
• Multiphoton excited photoluminescence (MEPL) and third-harmonic generation (THG) are crucial for advanced optical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel luminescent frameworks based on AIE-linkers and Zn2+.
• To investigate the photoluminescent and nonlinear optical properties of these frameworks.
• To explore the effect of structural modifications on multiphoton absorption (MPA) performance.

Main Methods:

• Selective combination of tetra-(4-carboxylphenyl)ethylene (H4TCPE) as an AIE-linker with Zn2+ ions.
• Synthesis of a series of luminescent frameworks, including a hinge-like complex (1) and layered structures (2-5) with pillar ligands.
• Characterization of photoluminescence, multiphoton absorption, and third-harmonic generation properties.

Main Results:

• The synthesized frameworks exhibit highly efficient MEPL and THG.
• Complex 1 demonstrated superior MPA parameters compared to existing materials like perovskite nanocrystals.
• Incorporation of pillar linkers modulated charge transfer and influenced MPA performance, with aromatic cores showing significant impact.

Conclusions:

• Novel luminescent frameworks with excellent MEPL and THG properties were successfully synthesized.
• The developed materials show promise as advanced multiphoton emitters and nonlinear optical materials.
• Structural design, particularly the use of pillar linkers, is critical for optimizing MPA performance in these AIE-based frameworks.