A novel dinuclear bismuth(III) coordination compound: bis(μ‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)‐κ4O2,N,O6:O6′;κ4O2:O2′,N,O6‐bis[(azido‐κN)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)bismuth(III)] tetrahydrate

A novel dinuclear bismuth(III) coordination compound, [Bi₂(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(N₃)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·4H₂O, has been synthesized by an ionothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The molecular structure consists of one centrosymmetric dinuclear neutral fragment and four water molecules. Within the dinuclear fragment, each Bi^III centre is seven‐coordinated by three O atoms and four N atoms. The coordination geometry of each Bi^III atom is distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal (BiO₃N₄), with one azide N atom and one bridging carboxylate O atom located in axial positions. The carboxylate O atoms and water molecules are assembled via O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. Two types of π–π stacking interactions are found, with centroid‐to‐centroid distances of 3.461 (4) and 3.641 (4) Å.     

Synthesis and Solid‐State,Solution, and Luminescence Properties of Near‐Infrared‐Emitting Neodymium(3+) Complexes Formed with Ligands Derived from Salophen

A series of free ligands, H₂ L ¹ , H₂ L ² , H₂ L ³ , and H₂ L ⁴ , designed for the coordination and sensitization of near‐infrared(NIR)‐emitting Nd³⁺ were synthesized by modifying the salophen Schiff base with different numbers and locations of Br‐substituents. The nature of the Nd³⁺ complexes in solution was determined to be [ML₂]^? by spectrophotometric titrations as an indication that the different substituents do not affect significantly the nature of the formed species. The structures were determined in the solid phase from X‐ray diffraction experiments. The stoichiometries and structures in the solid state are different from those observed in solution. We established that the structures in the solid state can be partially controlled by the crystallization conditions. The ligands L ¹ – L ⁴ have the ability to sensitize Nd³⁺ through intramolecular energy transfer from the ligand to the metal ion. We quantified that the numbers and locations of Br‐substituents control the emitted luminescence intensity of the complex by the heavy‐atom effect.     

Coordination Frameworks based on 3,5‐Bis(imidazole‐1‐yl)­pyridine and Aromatic Dicarboxylate Ligands: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Photoluminescent Properties

Three metal coordination polymers [Zn(bdc)(L)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ), [Co(pta)(L)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ), and [Cd(tda)(L)(H₂O)]_n ( 3 ) [H₂bdc = 1,2‐benzene dicarboxylate acid, H₂pta = terephthalic acid, H₂tda = 2,5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid, L = 3,5‐bis(imidazole‐1‐yl)pyridine] were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, and X‐ray single crystal diffraction. Complex 1 shows a three‐dimensional (3D) structure with cco topology with the symbol 6⁵ · 8, whereas complex 2 features a 3D structure with cds topology with the symbol 6⁵ · 8. Complex 3 has a 2D network constructed by the cadmium atoms bridged through the ligands tda and L. Their X‐ray powder diffraction patterns were compared with the simulated ones. Moreover, their luminescent properties were investigated in the solid state at room temperature, and the thermogravimetric analyses were carried out to study the thermal stability of the 3D networks.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Photoluminescent Properties of a New 3D Metal‐Organic Framework with Unusual AgI Chains

A new 3D metal‐organic framework {[Ag₄(btc)(bix)₂] · H₂O}_n ( 1 ) [H₄btc = biphenyl‐2, 2′,4, 4′‐tetracarboxylic acid, bix = 1, 4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene] was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and luminescence studies. The most remarkable structural feature of 1 is that the 1D chain and 2D network interpenetrated structures are further linked by parallel aligned 1D Ag^I chains to generate 3D metal‐organic framework.     

Two novel d10 transition metal complexes based on 1H‐benzimidazole‐5,6‐dicarboxylic acid: Synthesis,structure and multifunctional luminescence detection

Two new coordination complexes based on benzimidazole dicarboxylic acid, Zn(Hbidc)?H₂O ( 1 ) and Cd(Hbidc)(H₂O) ( 2 ), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared and UV–visible spectroscopies, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Structural analyses showed that the crystal structures of 1 and 2 are different, due to the various modes of linking of the benzimidazole dicarboxylic acid. Complex 1 has a two‐dimensional network structure and 2 has a three‐dimensional network structure. In addition, we studied the performance of the fluorescence response of two complexes. Results showed that the complexes can be used as chemical sensors for multifunctional testing, such as for UO₂²⁺, xanthine and Fe³⁺ ions. Even if the concentration is very low, they could also be detected, showing that coordination complexes 1 and 2 have very high fluorescence sensitivity. The detection limit for UO₂²⁺ is 5.42 nM ( 1 ) and 0.02 nM ( 2 ), that for xanthine is 1.37 nM ( 1 ) and 0.28 nM ( 2 ), and that for Fe³⁺ ions is 0.76 nM ( 1 ) and 0.62 nM ( 2 ).     

A three‐dimensional ZnII coordination network based on 5,5′‐methylenebis(2,4,6‐trimethylisophthalic acid) and 2,7‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)fluorene: synthesis,structure and luminescence properties

In recent years, coordination polymers constructed from multidentate carboxylate ligands and N‐containing ligands have attracted much attention since these ligands can adopt a rich variety of coordination modes which can lead to crystalline products with intriguing structures and interesting properties. A new coordination polymer, namely poly[[diaqua[μ‐2,7‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)fluorene‐κ²N³:N^3′][μ‐5,5′‐methylenebis(3‐carboxy‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoato)‐κ²O¹:O^1′]zinc(II)] hemihydrate], {[Zn(C₂₃H₂₂O₈)(C₁₉H₁₄N₄)(H₂O)₂]·0.5H₂O}_n, 1 , was prepared by the self‐assembly of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with 5,5′‐methylenebis(2,4,6‐trimethylisophthalic acid) (H₄BTMIPA) and 2,7‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)fluorene (BIF) under solvothermal conditions. The structure of 1 was determined by elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Each Zn^II ion is six‐coordinated by two O atoms from two H₂BTMIPA^2? ligands, by two N atoms from two BIF ligands and by two water molecules, forming a distorted octahedral ZnN₂O₄ coordination geometry. Adjacent Zn^II ions are linked by H₂BTMIPA^2? ligands and BIF ligands, leading to the formation of a two‐dimensional (2D) (4,4)‐ sql network, and intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions connect the 2D layer structure into the three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure. Each 2D layer contains two kinds of helices with the same direction, which are opposite in adjacent layers. The luminescence properties of complex 1 in the solid state have also been investigated.     

Three Coordination Polymers based on 3,5‐Bis(imidazole‐1‐yl)pyridine and Benzoic Acid: Synthesis,Crystal Structures and Photoluminescent Properties

Three metal coordination polymers {[Co(L)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ · 2NO₃^–}_n ( 1 ), {[Mn(L)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ · 2Cl^– · 3H₂O}_n ( 2 ), and [ZnL(ba)₂]_n ( 3 ) [L = 3,5‐bis(imidazole‐1‐yl)pyridine and Hba = benzoic acid] were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, and X‐ray single crystal diffraction. Complex 1 shows a one‐dimensional (1D) chain structure. Adjacent chains are connected by hydrogen bonding and nitrate groups to form a 3D network. Complex 2 features a 2D layer structure. A three‐dimensional network is constructed through the cluster consisting of two chloride ions and three water molecules. Complex 3 shows a 1D zigzag chain structure that further twists together to form a 3D network. The X‐ray powder diffraction patterns were compared with the simulated ones. Moreover, the luminescent properties of 1 – 3 were investigated in the solid state at room temperature, and the thermogravimetric analyses were carried out to study the thermal stability of the three complexes.     

A self‐penetrated three‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination framework based on 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzoic acid and 1,3‐bis[(imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene ligands: synthesis,structure and properties

With the rapid development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a variety of MOFs and their derivatives have been synthesized and reported in recent years. Commonly, multifunctional aromatic polycarboxylic acids and nitrogen‐containing ligands are employed to construct MOFs with fascinating structures. 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐Triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzoic acid (H₃TATB) and the bidentate nitrogen‐containing ligand 1,3‐bis[(imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene (bib) were selected to prepare a novel Zn^II‐MOF under solvothermal conditions, namely poly[[tris{μ‐1,3‐bis[(imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene}bis[μ₃‐4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzoato]trizinc(II)] dimethylformamide disolvate trihydrate], {[Zn₃(C₂₄H₁₂N₃O₆)₂(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₃]·2C₃H₇NO·3H₂O}_n ( 1 ). The structure of 1 was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and powder X‐ray diffraction. The properties of 1 were investigated by thermogravimetric and fluorescence analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that 1 belongs to the monoclinic space group Pc. The asymmetric unit contains three crystallographically independent Zn^II centres, two 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzoate (TATB^3?) anions, three complete bib ligands, one and a half free dimethylformamide molecules and three guest water molecules. Each Zn^II centre is four‐coordinated and displays a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. The Zn^II centres are connected by TATB^3? anions to form an angled ladder chain with large windows. Simultaneously, the bib ligands link Zn^II centres to give a helical Zn–bib–Zn chain. Furthermore, adjacent ladders are bridged by Zn–bib–Zn chains to form a fascinating three‐dimensional self‐penetrated framework with the short Schläfli symbol 6⁵·7·8¹³·9·10. In addition, the luminescence properties of 1 in the solid state and the fluorescence sensing of metal ions in suspension were studied. Significantly, compound 1 shows potential application as a fluorescent sensor with sensing properties for Zr⁴⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions.     

Synthesis,Charactarization and Crystal Structures of Lanthanide Phenoxyacetate Complexes with1,10—Phenanthroline

Three new lanthanide phenoxyacetate complexes with 1,10‐phenanthroline. [Nd(POA)₃ (phen)]₂ · 2C₂H₅OH (1), [Eu(POA)₃‐ (phen)]₂ · 2C₂H₅OH (2) and [Sm(POA)₂(DMSO)(phen)]₂‐ (ClO₄)₂ (3) (POA= phenoxyacetate, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline, DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV‐vis and FAB‐MS spectra. Their structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In complexes 1 and 2, the carboxylate groups are bonded to Ln³⁺ ion in three modes: the chelating bidentate, the bridging bidentate and the bridging tridentate. In complex 3, the carboxylate groups are bonded to Sm³⁺ ion only involved in one mode: the bridging bidentate. The luminescence behavior of complex 2 was also studied by means of emission spectra.     

Luminescence Tuning and White‐Light Emission of Co‐doped Ln–Cd–Organic Frameworks

Four new three‐dimensional isostructural lanthanide–cadmium metal–organic frameworks (Ln–Cd MOFs), [LnCd₂(imdc)₂(Ac)(H₂O)₂]?H₂O (Ln=Pr ( 1 ), Eu ( 2 ), Gd ( 3 ), and Tb ( 4 ); H₃imdc=4,5‐imidazoledicarboxylic acid; Ac=acetate), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by IR, elemental analyses, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, and X‐ray diffraction. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that two Ln^III ions are surrounded by four Cd^II ions to form a heteronuclear building block. The blocks are further linked to form 3D Ln–Cd MOFs by the bridging imdc^3? ligand. Furthermore, the left‐ and right‐handed helices array alternatively in the lattice. Eu–Cd and Tb–Cd MOFs can emit characteristic red light with the Eu^III ion and green light with the Tb^III ion, respectively, while both Gd–Cd and Pr–Cd MOFs generate blue emission when they are excited. Different concentrations of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions were co‐doped into Gd–Cd/Pr–Cd MOFs, and tunable luminescence from yellow to white was achieved. White‐light emission was obtained successfully by adjusting the excitation wavelength or the co‐doping ratio of the co‐doped Gd–Cd and Pr–Cd MOFs. These results show that the relative emission intensity of white light for Gd–Cd:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ MOFs is stronger than that of Pr–Cd:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ MOFs, which implies that the Gd complex is a better matrix than the Pr complex to obtain white‐light emission materials.     

Micro‐ and Nanometer‐Scale Porous,Fibrous, and Sheet Architectures Constructed by Supramolecular Assemblies of Dipyrrolyldiketones

X‐ray analysis of some 1,3‐dipyrrolyl‐1,3‐propanediones synthesized from pyrroles and malonyl chloride derivatives revealed 1D supramolecular networks formed by N? H???O?C interactions in the solid state. Micro‐ and nanometer‐scale morphologies of porous, fibrous, and sheet structures were fabricated by hydrogen‐bonding interactions and determined by fine‐tuning the substituents and the solvents used. Of the unique polymorphs, ordered 2D lamellar sheet structures of the derivatives with long alkyl chains (C₁₆H₃₃, C₁₄H₂₉, and so on) were constructed by van der Waals hydrophobic effects between aliphatic chains as well as hydrogen bonding.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Photocatalytic Activities of Three Copper Coordination Polymers Based on Bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene/3‐(2‐Pyridyl)pyrazole

Three copper(II) coordination polymers (CuCPs), namely, [Cu_0.5(1,4‐bib)(SO₄)_0.5]_n ( 1 ), {[Cu(1,3‐bib)₂(H₂O)] · SO₄ · H₂O}_n ( 2 ), and [Cu(bpz)(SO₄)_0.5]_n ( 3 ), were assembled from the reaction of three N‐donors [1,4‐bib = 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene, 1,3‐bib = 1,3‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene, and Hbpz = 3‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazole] with copper sulfate under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses (EA), IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Structure analyses reveal that complex 1 is a 3D 6‐connected {4¹² · 6³}‐ pcu net, complex 2 is a fourfold 3D 4‐connected 6⁶‐ dia net, whereas complex 3 is a 1D snake‐like chain, which further expanded into 3D supramolecular architectures with the help of C–H ··· O hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the photocatalytic tests demonstrate that the obtained CuCPs are photocatalysts in the degradation of MB with the efficiency is 86.4 % for 1 , 75.3 % for 2 , and 91.3 % for 3 after 2 h, respectively.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescence Properties of Four Coordination Polymers Based on 1,3,5‐Tris (imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene

Based on the tripodal 1,3,5‐tris(imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (tib) ligand, four transition metal coordination polymers, namely, {[Ni₃(tib)₂(H₂O)₁₂] · (SO₄)₃}_n ( 1 ), {[Co_1/6(tib)_1/3] · (O)_1/3}_n ( 2 ), and [M(tib)(hip)]_n (M = Mn for 3 , and M = Co for 4 ) (hip = 5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid), were synthesized through solvothermal method. Their structures were defined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses (EA), IR spectra, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Complex 1 displays a 2D 3‐connected (6³) hcb net. Complex 2 is a 2D (3,6)‐connected (4³)₂(4⁶.6⁶.8³) kgm net. Complex 3 and 4 present similar 2D 4‐connected (4⁴.6²) sql net. Moreover, the solid state luminescence properties of complexes 1 and 3 were investigated.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Photocatalytic Properties of Bismuth (III)‐benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate

{[Bi(BTC)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O}_n (H₃BTC = 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid) was synthesized by an eco‐friendly hydrothermal method and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and thermogravimetric analyses. The complex featured a 3D metal‐organic framework with Bi₂ secondary building units. In the complex, the central Bi³⁺ is nine‐coordinate, three central Bi atoms and three BTC^3– anions are interconnected into a ring with the dimension of 7.95 × 9.89 Ų. Moreover, the complex is decomposed at over 388 °C, showing its highly thermal stability. Further, the complex exhibits photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) solution under UV light irradiation, and its structure can keep consistent with the original one after 9 h photocatalytic reaction, indicating that it is also very stable under UV light. Therefore, it could be anticipated the novel coordination complex will be a stable ultraviolet light catalyst.     

A Co‐MOF with a (4,4)‐connected binodal two‐dimensional topology: synthesis,structure and photocatalytic properties

The Co‐MOF poly[[diaqua{μ₄‐1,1,2,2‐tetrakis[4‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]ethylene‐κ⁴N:N′:N′′:N′′′}cobalt(II)] benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate], {[Co(C₃₄H₂₄N₁₂)(H₂O)₂](C₈H₄O₄)·C₈H₆O₄}_n or {[Co(ttpe)(H₂O)₂](bdc)·(1,4‐H₂bdc)}_n, (I), was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using 1,1,2,2‐tetrakis[4‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]ethylene (ttpe), benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (1,4‐H₂bdc) and Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), luminescence, optical band gap and valence band X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (VB XPS). Co‐MOF (I) shows a (4,4)‐connected binodal two‐dimensional topology with a point symbol of {4⁴·6²}{4⁴·6²}. The two‐dimensional networks capture free neutral 1,4‐H₂bdc molecules and bdc^2? anions, and construct a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via hydrogen‐bond interactions. MOF (I) is a good photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B under visible‐light irradiation and can be reused at least five times.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Photophysical Properties of Two Coordination Polymers Based on 2,3‐Dioxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoxaline‐6‐carboxylic Acid

Two complexes based on the ligand 1,4‐dihydro‐2,3‐quinoxalinedione, namely [Mn(H₂L)₂(H₂O)₂]_n ( 1 ) and {[Zn₂(H₂L)₂(tz)₂] · 5H₂O}_n ( 2 ) (H₃L = 2,3‐dioxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoxaline‐6‐carboxylic acid, Htz = 1,2,4‐triazole) were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, as well as single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 exhibited a 1D comb‐like chain formed by H₂L^– anions linking Mn^II ions, whereas complex 2 was a 2D layer‐like structure with square‐shaped windows and outstretched arms built by combination of H₂L^– and tz^– ligands with Zn^II ions. The adjacent chains or layers connected with each other by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking to further extend to a 3D supermolecular framework. In addition, the thermal stabilities, luminescence properties, and optical energy gap of 1 and 2 were investigated in detail.     

Preparation,Structure, and Second‐order Nonlinear Optical Properties of a Borate‐Carboxylic Acid Compound: NH4B[d‐(+)‐C4H4O5]2·H2O

The organic‐inorganic hybrid nonlinear optical (NLO) material NH₄B(d‐ (+)‐C₄H₄O₅)₂ · H₂O (NBC) was synthesized in a borate‐carboxylic acid system. Its structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pna2₁ (No. 33), with cell parameters a = 11.484(6) Å, b = 5.354(3) Å, c = 21.079(12) Å, V = 1296.0(12), Z = 4. It exhibits a three‐dimensional pseudo tunnel structure consisting of fundamental building block [B(d‐ (+)‐C₄H₄O₅)₂]^– anions. The small cavities are occupied by the H₂O molecules and NH₄⁺ cations, which stabilize the whole structure by O–H ··· O and N–H ··· O hydrogen bonds. The powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) of the crystal was also recorded. Elemental analyses, FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra analyses, thermal analysis, and diffuse‐reflectance spectra for the compound are also presented, as are band structures and density of states calculation. Nonlinear optical measurements indicate that the material has second harmonic generation (SHG) properties and is phase‐matchable.     

Bismuth Undecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborane: A Retainable Intermediate of B−H Bond Activation by Bismuth(III) Cations

The [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? anion shows an extensive substitutional chemistry based on its three‐dimensional aromaticity. The replacement of functional groups can be attained by electrophilically induced substitution caused by Brønsted or Lewis acidic electrophiles (e.g. Pt²⁺). Until now, it was impossible to structurally characterize a metal‐substituted [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? cage. When an aqueous solution containing both Bi³⁺ cations and [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? anions was heated, the charge‐neutral bismuth undecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborane BiB₁₂H₁₁ was obtained, representing a new class of metalated [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? clusters. The title compound was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopic methods. Compared to the typical B?H bond, the short B?Bi single bond (230 pm) exhibits inverted polarity.     

Synthesis and Studies of the Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Properties of Near‐Monodisperse Bi‐Doped TiO2 Nanospheres

Near‐monodisperse Bi‐doped anatase TiO₂ nanospheres with almost uniform diameters in the range of 117 to 87 nm were prepared simply by introducing different amounts of bismuth nitrate pentahydrate into the reaction system and subsequent calcinations. X‐ray diffraction, UV‐visible diffuse reflectance spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm that the doped ions substitute some of the lattice titanium atoms, and furthermore, Bi³⁺ and Bi⁴⁺ ions coexist. All the Bi‐doped TiO₂ samples show much better photocatalytic activity than pure TiO₂ in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under the irradiation of visible light (λ>420 nm), and, interestingly, it was found that the degradation mechanism is different from the conventional one, which has already been reported elsewhere. The detailed mechanism is discussed in this article.     

Samarium and Nitrogen Co‐Doped Bi2WO6 Photocatalysts: Synergistic Effect of Sm3+/Sm2+ Redox Centers and N‐Doped Level for Enhancing Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity

Samarium and nitrogen co‐doped Bi₂WO₆ nanosheets were successfully synthesized by using a hydrothermal method. The crystal structures, morphology, elemental compositions, and optical properties of the prepared samples were investigated. The incorporation of samarium and nitrogen ions into Bi₂WO₆ was proved by X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy indicated that the samarium and nitrogen co‐doped Bi₂WO₆ possessed strong visible‐light absorption. Remarkably, the samarium and nitrogen co‐doped Bi₂WO₆ exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than single‐doped and pure Bi₂WO₆ under visible‐light irradiation. Radical trapping experiments indicated that holes (h⁺) and superoxide radicals ( ^. O₂^?) were the main active species. The results of photoluminescence spectroscopy and photocurrent measurements demonstrated that the recombination rate of the photogenerated electrons and holes pairs was greatly depressed. The enhanced activity was attributed to the synergistic effect of the in‐built Sm³⁺/Sm²⁺ redox pair centers and the N‐doped level. The mechanism of the excellent photocatalytic activity of Sm‐N‐Bi₂WO₆ is also discussed.