The magic of integration:Exploring the construction of dithienylethene-based infinite coordination polymers and their synergistic effect for gaseous ammonia probe applications

Infinite coordination polymers are recognized as excellent platform for functionalization. Dithienylethene motifs, which are one of the most attractive functional moieties, were incorporated into an infinite coordination polymer, to deliver a "smart" porous material that can response to external stimuli. The obtained dithienylethene-based infinite coordination polymers (named Cu-DTEDBA) share the advantages of both infinite coordination polymers (porosity and stability) and dithienylethene motifs (photochromism). The physical and chemical properties of Cu-DTEDBA were characterized by FTIR, TEM, SEM, XRD, TGA, UV-vis, EDX and BET. Moreover, the combination of dithienylethene and infinite coordination polymers gives rise to a synergistic effect, which induces functional behaviors of ammonia sensor applications. Both open and closed forms of Cu-DTEDBA exhibit distinct colorimetric change upon exposure to gaseous ammonia, which is not observed in dithienylethene free molecules.