Engineering the Electrical Conductivity of Lamellar Silver‐Doped Cobalt(II) Selenide Nanobelts for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution

Precisely engineering the electrical conductivity represents a promising strategy to design efficient catalysts towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, we demonstrate a versatile partial cation exchange method to fabricate lamellar Ag‐CoSe₂ nanobelts with controllable conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the materials was significantly enhanced by the addition of Ag⁺ cations of less than 1.0 %. Moreover, such a trace amount of Ag induced a negligible loss of active sites which was compensated through the effective generation of active sites as shown by the excellent conductivity. Both the enhanced conductivity and the retained active sites contributed to the remarkable electrocatalytic performance of the Ag‐CoSe₂ nanobelts. Relative to the CoSe₂ nanobelts, the as‐prepared Ag‐CoSe₂ nanobelts exhibited a higher current density and a lower Tafel slope towards OER. This strategy represents a rational design of efficient electrocatalysts through finely tuning their electrical conductivities.     

Electrospun Li3V2(PO4)3 Nanobelts: Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties as Cathode Materials of Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Novel Li₃V₂ (PO₄)₃ nanobelts, which was confirmed by the peaks of X‐ray diffraction, were prepared by a facile and environmentally friendly electrospinning method. A distinct nanobelt structure, with an average width of 2.5 µm and a thickness of 200 nm, is observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the specific surface area of 140.8 m²/g is estimated by a specific surface area analyzer. Moreover, the unique Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts exhibited a specific discharge capacity of 155.6 mAh/g at 0.2 C rate when they were used as cathode material in lithium‐ion batteries, on testing from 3.0 to 4.8 V. Remarkably, the batteries containing Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts displayed excellent cycling performance, with only a 0.02% fading rate per cycle after 50 cycles in the range 30–4.3 V. These outstanding electrochemical performances could be ascribed to the particular morphology, large surface area, homogeneous particle size distribution, and the one‐dimensional microstructure of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts.     

Flexible Aqueous Lithium‐Ion Battery with High Safety and Large Volumetric Energy Density

A flexible and wearable aqueous lithium‐ion battery is introduced based on spinel Li_1.1Mn₂O₄ cathode and a carbon‐coated NASICON‐type LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ anode (NASICON=sodium‐ion super ionic conductor). Energy densities of 63 Wh kg^?1 or 124 mWh cm^?3 and power densities of 3 275 W kg^?1 or 11.1 W cm^?3 can be obtained, which are seven times larger than the largest reported till now. The full cell can keep its capacity without significant loss under different bending states, which shows excellent flexibility. Furthermore, two such flexible cells in series with an operation voltage of 4 V can be compatible with current nonaqueous Li‐ion batteries. Therefore, such a flexible cell can potentially be put into practical applications for wearable electronics. In addition, a self‐chargeable unit is realized by integrating a single flexible aqueous Li‐ion battery with a commercial flexible solar cell, which may facilitate the long‐time outdoor operation of flexible and wearable electronic devices.     

Electrospun V2O5 Nanostructures with Controllable Morphology as High‐Performance Cathode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Porous V₂O₅ nanotubes, hierarchical V₂O₅ nanofibers, and single‐crystalline V₂O₅ nanobelts were controllably synthesized by using a simple electrospinning technique and subsequent annealing. The mechanism for the formation of these controllable structures was investigated. When tested as the cathode materials in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), the as‐formed V₂O₅ nanostructures exhibited a highly reversible capacity, excellent cycling performance, and good rate capacity. In particular, the porous V₂O₅ nanotubes provided short distances for Li⁺‐ion diffusion and large electrode–electrolyte contact areas for high Li⁺‐ion flux across the interface; Moreover, these nanotubes delivered a high power density of 40.2 kW kg^?1 whilst the energy density remained as high as 201 W h kg^?1, which, as one of the highest values measured on V₂O₅‐based cathode materials, could bridge the performance gap between batteries and supercapacitors. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first preparation of single‐crystalline V₂O₅ nanobelts by using electrospinning techniques. Interestingly, the beneficial crystal orientation provided improved cycling stability for lithium intercalation. These results demonstrate that further improvement or optimization of electrochemical performance in transition‐metal‐oxide‐based electrode materials could be realized by the design of 1D nanostructures with unique morphologies.     

Nitrogen‐Doped Mesoporous Carbon‐Encapsulated MoO2 Nanobelts as a High‐Capacity and Stable Host for Lithium‐Ion Storage

N‐doped mesoporous carbon‐capped MoO₂ nanobelts (designated as MoO₂@NC) were synthesized and applied to lithium‐ion storage. Owing to the stable core–shell structural framework and conductive mesoporous carbon matrix, the as‐prepared MoO₂@NC shows a high specific capacity of around 700 mA h g⁻¹ at a current of 0.5 A g⁻¹, excellent cycling stability up to 100 cycles, and superior rate performance. The N‐doped mesoporous carbon can greatly improve the conductivity and provide uninhibited conducting pathways for fast charge transfer and transport. Moreover, the core–shell structure improved the structural integrity, leading to a high stability during the cycling process. All of these merits make the MoO₂@NC to be a suitable and promising material for lithium ion battery.     

Sodium‐Doped Mesoporous Ni2P2O7 Hexagonal Tablets for High‐Performance Flexible All‐Solid‐State Hybrid Supercapacitors

A simple hydrothermal method has been developed to prepare hexagonal tablet precursors, which are then transformed into porous sodium‐doped Ni₂P₂O₇ hexagonal tablets by a simple calcination method. The obtained samples were evaluated as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Electrochemical measurements show that the electrode based on the porous sodium‐doped Ni₂P₂O₇ hexagonal tablets exhibits a specific capacitance of 557.7 F g^?1 at a current density of 1.2 A g^?1. Furthermore, the porous sodium‐doped Ni₂P₂O₇ hexagonal tablets were successfully used to construct flexible solid‐state hybrid supercapacitors. The device is highly flexible and achieves a maximum energy density of 23.4 Wh kg^?1 and a good cycling stability after 5000 cycles, which confirms that the porous sodium‐doped Ni₂P₂O₇ hexagonal tablets are promising active materials for flexible supercapacitors.     

One‐Dimensional V2O5@Polyaniline Core/Shell Nanobelts Synthesized by an In situ Polymerization Method

Uniform one‐dimensional V₂O₅@polyaniline core/shell nanobelts have been fabricated by a simple in‐situ polymerization method in the absence of any surfactant and additional initiator. The influences of pH and additional initiator on the morphology of the resulting products are investigated. The pH value is important for the formation of V₂O₅@polyaniline core/shell nanobelts, which preserve the original morphology of V₂O₅ nanobelts. With a decrease in the pH value to 0 the original morphology of the V₂O₅ nanobelts is destroyed. When ammonium peroxydisulfate is used, some separated polyaniline nanofibers are formed. The formation of the V₂O₅@polyaniline core/shell nanobelts can be related to the in‐situ polymerization of aniline monomer by etching V₂O₅ nanobelts. The electrochemical lithium intercalation/deintercalation of V₂O₅@polyaniline core/shell nanobelts is investigated by cyclic voltammograms.

     

Poly[[bis{μ2‐N2,N6‐bis[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide}dichloridonickel(II)] N,N‐dimethylformamide tetrasolvate]

In the title compound, {[NiCl₂(C₁₉H₁₇N₅O₂)₂]·4C₃H₇NO}_n, the Ni^II atom is located on an inversion centre and is in a six‐coordinated octahedral geometry, formed by four pyridine N atoms from four N²,N⁶‐bis[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide (BPDA) ligands occupying the equatorial plane and two chloride anions at the axial sites. The bidentate bridging BPDA ligands link the Ni^II atoms into a two‐dimensional corrugated grid‐like flexible layer with a (4,4)‐connected topology, which consists of left‐ and right‐handed helical chains sharing the common Ni^II atoms. Investigation of the thermal stability shows that the network is stable up to 573 K.     

Self‐Assembling Synthesis of Free‐standing Nanoporous Graphene–Transition‐Metal Oxide Flexible Electrodes for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries and Supercapacitors

The synthesis of nanoporous graphene by a convenient carbon nanofiber assisted self‐assembly approach is reported. Porous structures with large pore volumes, high surface areas, and well‐controlled pore sizes were achieved by employing spherical silica as hard templates with different diameters. Through a general wet‐immersion method, transition‐metal oxide (Fe₃O₄, Co₃O₄, NiO) nanocrystals can be easily loaded into nanoporous graphene papers to form three‐dimensional flexible nanoarchitectures. When directly applied as electrodes in lithium‐ion batteries and supercapacitors, the materials exhibited superior electrochemical performances, including an ultra‐high specific capacity, an extended long cycle life, and a high rate capability. In particular, nanoporous Fe₃O₄–graphene composites can deliver a reversible specific capacity of 1427.5 mAh g^?1 at a high current density of 1000 mA g^?1 as anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries. Furthermore, nanoporous Co₃O₄–graphene composites achieved a high supercapacitance of 424.2 F g^?1. This work demonstrated that the as‐developed freestanding nanoporous graphene papers could have significant potential for energy storage and conversion applications.     

Borromean‐Entanglement‐Driven Assembly of Porous Molecular Architectures with Anion‐Modified Pore Space

A series of metal–organic frameworks based on a flexible, highly charged Bpybc ligand, namely 1? Mn?OH^?, 2? Mn?SO₄^2?, 3? Mn?bdc^2?, 4? Eu?SO₄^2? (H₂BpybcCl₂=1,1′‐bis(4‐carboxybenzyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium dichloride, H₂bdc=1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid) have been obtained by a self‐assembly process. Single‐crystal X‐ray‐diffraction analysis revealed that all of these compounds contained the same n‐fold 2D→3D Borromean‐entangled topology with irregular butterfly‐like pore channels that were parallel to the Borromean sheets. These structures were highly tolerant towards various metal ions (from divalent transition metals to trivalent lanthanide ions) and anion species (from small inorganic anions to bulky organic anions), which demonstrated the superstability of these Borromean linkages. This non‐interpenetrated entanglement represents a new way of increasing the stability of the porous frameworks. The introduction of bipyridinium molecules into the porous frameworks led to the formation of cationic surface, which showed high affinities to methanol and water vapor. The distinct adsorption and desorption isotherms of methanol vapor in four complexes revealed that the accommodated anion species (of different size, shape, and location) provided a unique platform to tune the environment of the pore space. Measurements of the adsorption of various organic vapors onto framework 1? Mn?OH^? further revealed that these pores have a high adsorption selectivity towards molecules with different sizes, polarities, or π‐conjugated structures.     

CeVO4 Nanozymes Catalyze the Reduction of Dioxygen to Water without Releasing Partially Reduced Oxygen Species

In this study, we report a remarkably active CeVO₄ nanozyme that functionally mimics cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), the terminal enzyme in the respiratory electron transport chain, by catalyzing a four‐electron reduction of dioxygen to water. The nanozyme catalyzes the reaction by using cytochrome c (Cyt c), the biological electron donor for CcO, at physiologically relevant pH. The CcO activity of the CeVO₄ nanozymes depends on the relative ratio of surface Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ions, the presence of V⁵⁺ and the surface‐Cyt c interactions. The complete reduction of oxygen to water takes place without release of any partially reduced oxygen species (PROS) such as superoxide, peroxide and hydroxyl radicals.     

A new three‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer involving 2‐[(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole and benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate ligands

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on multidentate N‐heterocyclic ligands involving imidazole, triazole, tetrazole, benzimidazole, benzotriazole or pyridine present intriguing molecular topologies and have potential applications in ion exchange, magnetism, gas sorption and storage, catalysis, optics and biomedicine. The 2‐[(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole (tmb) ligand has four potential N‐atom donors and can act in monodentate, chelating, bridging and tridentate coordination modes in the construction of complexes, and can also act as both a hydrogen‐bond donor and acceptor. In addition, the tmb ligand can adopt different coordination conformations, resulting in complexes with helical structures due to the presence of the flexible methylene spacer. A new three‐dimensional coordination polymer, poly[[bis(μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)‐κ⁴O¹,O^1′:O⁴,O^4′;κ²O¹:O⁴‐bis{μ₂‐2‐[(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl‐κN⁴]‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κN³}dizinc(II)] trihydrate], {[Zn(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₀H₉N₅)]·1.5H₂O}_n, has been synthesized by the reaction of ZnCl₂ with tmb and benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdic) under solvothermal conditions. There are two crystallographically distinct bdic²⁻ ligands [bdic²⁻(A) and bdic²⁻(B)] in the structure which adopt different coordination modes. The Zn^II ions are bridged by tmb ligands, leading to one‐dimensional helical chains with different handedness, and adjacent helices are linked by bdic²⁻(A) ligands, forming a two‐dimensional network structure. The two‐dimensional layers are further connected by bdic²⁻(B) ligands, resulting in a three‐dimensional framework with the topological notation 6⁶. The IR spectra and thermogravimetric curves are consistent with the results of the X‐ray crystal structure analysis and the title polymer exhibits good fluorescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

Hydrogen bonding in two salts of 3‐methylthio‐4‐(propargylthio)quinoline

In 3‐methyl­thio‐4‐(propargyl­thio)­quinolinium chloride monohydrate, C₁₃H₁₂NS₂⁺·Cl^?·H₂O, and 3‐methyl­thio‐4‐(propargyl­thio)­quinolinium tri­chloro­acetate, C₁₃H₁₂­NS₂⁺·­C₂Cl₃O₂^?, the terminal alkyne group forms C[triple‐bond]C—H?O hydrogen bonds of favourable geometry. The conformation of the flexible propargyl­thio group is different in the two structures.     

1,1′‐Dimethoxy‐3,3′‐dimethyl‐3,3′‐(hexane‐1,6‐diyl)bis(triazen‐2‐ium‐2‐olate): a nitric oxide donor

The title compound, C₁₀H₂₄N₆O₄, is the most stable type of nitric oxide (NO) donor among the broad category of discrete N‐diazeniumdiolates (NO adducts of nucleophilic small molecule amines). Sitting astride a crystallographic inversion center, the molecule contains a symmetric dimethylhexane‐1,6‐diamine structure bearing two planar O²‐methylated N‐diazeniumdiolate functional groups [N(O)=NOMe]. These two groups are parallel to each other and have the potential to release four molecules of NO. The methylated diazeniumdiolate substituent removes the negative charge from the typical N(O)=NO⁻ group, thereby increasing the stability of the diazeniumdiolate structure. The crystal was nonmerohedrally twinned by a 180° rotation about the real [101] axis. This is the first N‐based bis‐diazeniumdiolate compound with a flexible aliphatic main unit to have its structure analyzed and this work demonstrates the utility of stabilizing the N‐diazeniumdiolate functional group by methylation.     

Superior Electrical Conductivity in Hydrogenated Layered Ternary Chalcogenide Nanosheets for Flexible All‐Solid‐State Supercapacitors

As the properties of ultrathin two‐dimensional (2D) crystals are strongly related to their electronic structures, more and more attempts were carried out to tune their electronic structures to meet the high standards for the construction of next‐generation smart electronics. Herein, for the first time, we show that the conductive nature of layered ternary chalcogenide with formula of Cu₂WS₄ can be switched from semiconducting to metallic by hydrogen incorporation, accompanied by a high increase in electrical conductivity. In detail, the room‐temperature electrical conductivity of hydrogenated‐Cu₂WS₄ nanosheet film was almost 10¹⁰ times higher than that of pristine bulk sample with a value of about 2.9×10⁴ S m^?1, which is among the best values for conductive 2D nanosheets. In addition, the metallicity in the hydrogenated‐Cu₂WS₄ is robust and can be retained under high‐temperature treatment. The fabricated all‐solid‐state flexible supercapacitor based on the hydrogenated‐Cu₂WS₄ nanosheet film shows promising electrochemical performances with capacitance of 583.3 F cm^?3 at a current density of 0.31 A cm^?3. This work not only offers a prototype material for the study of electronic structure regulation in 2D crystals, but also paves the way in searching for highly conductive electrodes.     

Three 3‐Amino‐1, 2, 4‐Triazole‐Based Magnetic Complexes Incorporated with Different Carboxylate‐Containing Coligands: Synthesis,Structures, and Magnetic Properties

Three 3‐amino‐1, 2, 4‐triazole (atz)‐based paramagnetic complexes, [Mn(atz)(pa)]_n ( 1 ), {[Mn(atz)_1.5(hip)] · H₂O}_n ( 2 ), and [Mn(H₂O)₂(atz)₂(nb)₂] ( 3 ) (H₂pa = o‐phthalic acid, H₂hip = 5‐hydroxylisophthalic acid, and Hnb = p‐nitrobenzoic acid) were prepared by introducing different carboxylate‐containing aromatic coligands, and structurally and magnetically characterized. Helical Mn^II‐atz and bent Mn^II‐pa^2– chains are crosslinked by sharing the same metal sites to generate a honeycomb‐shaped framework of 1 . The undulated Mn^II‐atz layers constructed from 22‐member metallomacrocycles are periodically supported by ditopic hip^2– ligands to lead to a pillared‐layer structure of 2 . In contrast, complex 3 is a centrosymmetric mononuclear entity, which is assembled into a three‐dimensional supramolecular network by abundant hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The structural difference of 1 – 3 is significantly due to the combinations of the flexible coordination modes adopted by the mixed atz and carboxylate groups. Weak and comparable antiferromagnetic couplings are observed in the nearest neighbors of 1 – 3 , which are cooperatively transmitted either by short carboxylate and/or atz heterobridges or by weak non‐covalent interactions.     

A two‐dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer constructed from 4‐carboxy‐1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carboxylate and 1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxylate ligands

Crystals of poly[[aqua[μ₃‐4‐carboxy‐1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carboxylato‐κ⁵O¹O^1′:N³,O⁴:O⁵][μ₄‐1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxylato‐κ⁷N³,O⁴:O⁴,O^4′:O¹,O^1′:O¹]cadmium(II)] monohydrate], {[Cd₂(C₁₅H₁₄N₂O₄)(C₁₆H₁₄N₂O₆)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n or {[Cd₂(Hcpimda)(cpima)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n, (I), were obtained from 1‐(4‐carboxybenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid (H₃cpimda) and cadmium(II) chloride under hydrothermal conditions. The structure indicates that in‐situ decarboxylation of H₃cpimda occurred during the synthesis process. The asymmetric unit consists of two Cd²⁺ centres, one 4‐carboxy‐1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carboxylate (Hcpimda²⁻) anion, one 1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxylate (cpima²⁻) anion, one coordinated water molecule and one lattice water molecule. One Cd²⁺ centre, i.e. Cd1, is hexacoordinated and displays a slightly distorted octahedral CdN₂O₄ geometry. The other Cd centre, i.e. Cd2, is coordinated by seven O atoms originating from one Hcpimda²⁻ ligand and three cpima²⁻ ligands. This Cd²⁺ centre can be described as having a distorted capped octahedral coordination geometry. Two carboxylate groups of the benzoate moieties of two cpima²⁻ ligands bridge between Cd2 centres to generate [Cd₂O₂] units, which are further linked by two cpima²⁻ ligands to produce one‐dimensional (1D) infinite chains based around large 26‐membered rings. Meanwhile, adjacent Cd1 centres are linked by Hcpimda²⁻ ligands to generate 1D zigzag chains. The two types of chains are linked through a μ₂‐η² bidentate bridging mode from an O atom of an imidazole carboxylate unit of cpima²⁻ to give a two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymer. The simplified 2D net structure can be described as a 3,6‐coordinated net which has a (4³)₂(4⁶.6⁶.8³) topology. Furthermore, the FT–IR spectroscopic properties, photoluminescence properties, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern and thermogravimetric behaviour of the polymer have been investigated.     

Proton‐transfer compounds of 8‐hydroxy‐7‐iodoquinoline‐5‐sulfonic acid (ferron) with 4‐chloroaniline and 4‐bromoaniline

The crystal structures of the proton‐transfer compounds of ferron (8‐hydroxy‐7‐iodoquinoline‐5‐sulfonic acid) with 4‐chloroaniline and 4‐bromoaniline, namely 4‐chloroanilinium 8‐hydroxy‐7‐iodoquinoline‐5‐sulfonate monohydrate, C₆H₇ClN⁺·C₉H₅INO₄S⁻·H₂O, and 4‐bromoanilinium 8‐hydroxy‐7‐iodoquinoline‐5‐sulfonate monohydrate, C₆H₇BrN⁺·C₉H₅INO₄S⁻·H₂O, have been determined. The compounds are isomorphous and comprise sheets of hydrogen‐bonded cations, anions and water molecules which are extended into a three‐dimensional framework structure through centrosymmetric R₂²(10) O—H...N hydrogen‐bonded ferron dimer interactions.     

Two threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional frameworks based on a flexible imidazole‐containing ligand and benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate

The open‐chain polyether‐bridged flexible ligand 1,2‐bis[2‐(1H‐1,3‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)phenoxy]ethane (L) has been used to create two two‐dimensional coordination polymers under hydrothermal reaction of L with Cd^II or Co^II, in the presence of benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdc). In poly[[(μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato){μ‐1,2‐bis[2‐(1H‐1,3‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)phenoxy]ethane}cadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd(C₈H₄O₄)(C₂₂H₂₂N₄O₂)]·2H₂O}_n, (I), and the cobalt(II) analogue {[Co(C₈H₄O₄)(C₂₂H₂₂N₄O₂)]·2H₂O}_n, (II), the Cd^II and Co^II cations are six‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from two different bdc²⁻ dianions in a chelating mode and two N atoms from two distinct L ligands. The metal ions, bdc²⁻ dianions and L ligands each sit across crystallographic twofold axes. The bdc²⁻ coordination mode and the coordinating orientation of the L ligand play an important role in constructing the novel two‐dimensional framework. Complexes (I) and (II) are threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional frameworks; their structures are almost isomorphous, while the bond lengths, angles and hydrogen bonds are different in (I) and (II).     

Synthesis,structure and characterization of two new metal–organic coordination polymers based on the ligand 5‐iodobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylate

Two new coordination polymers (CPs) formed from 5‐iodobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂iip) in the presence of the flexible 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)butane (bimb) auxiliary ligand, namely poly[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)butane‐κ²N³:N^3′](μ₃‐5‐iodobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O¹,O^1′:O³:O^3′)cobalt(II)], [Co(C₈H₃IO₄)(C₁₀H₁₄N₄)]_n or [Co(iip)(bimb)]_n, (1), and poly[[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)butane‐κ²N³:N^3′](μ₂‐5‐iodobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O¹:O³)zinc(II)] trihydrate], {[Zn(C₈H₃IO₄)(C₁₀H₁₄N₄)]·3H₂O}_n or {[Zn(iip)(bimb)]·3H₂O}_n, (2), were synthesized and characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solid‐state UV–Vis spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis (PXRD). The iip²⁻ ligand in (1) adopts the (κ¹,κ¹‐μ₂)(κ¹, κ¹‐μ₁)‐μ₃ coordination mode, linking adjacent secondary building units into a ladder‐like chain. These chains are further connected by the flexible bimb ligand in a trans–trans–trans conformation. As a result, a twofold three‐dimensional interpenetrating α‐Po network is formed. Complex (2) exhibits a two‐dimensional (4,4) topological network architecture in which the iip²⁻ ligand shows the (κ¹)(κ¹)‐μ₂ coordination mode. The solid‐state UV–Vis spectra of (1) and (2) were investigated, together with the fluorescence properties of (2) in the solid state.