Photoluminescent coordination polymer bulk glasses and laser-induced crystallization†

Abstract

We synthesized luminescent coordination polymer glasses composed of d10 metal cyanides and triphenylphosphine through melt-quenching and mechanical milling protocols. Synchrotron X-ray total scattering measurements and solid-state NMR revealed their one-dimensional chain structures and high structural dynamics. Thermodynamic and photoluminescence properties were tunable by the combination of heterometallic ions (Ag+, Au+, and Cu+) in the structures. The glasses are moldable and thermally stable, and over centimeter-sized glass monoliths were fabricated by the hot-press technique. They showed high transparency over 80% from the visible to near-infrared region and strong green emission at room temperature. Furthermore, the glass-to-crystal transformation was demonstrated by laser irradiation through the photothermal effect of the glasses.