In situ coordination of pyridine, quinoline, and quinoxaline with copper(I) iodide at the solid-liquid interface: Formation, characterization, and function of the microcrystal films

An in situ surface-reaction approach has been developed for the synthesis of microcrystals Cu₄I₄ (C₆H₅N)₄, Cu₄I₄ (C₉H₇N)₄, and Cu₂I₂ (C₈H₆N₂) in solid films. Microcrystals of Cu₄I₄ (C₆H₅N)₄, Cu₄I₄ (C₉H₇N)₄, and Cu₂I₂ (C₈H₆N₂) were easily formed on a copper substrate at the solid Cu-liquid pyridine (C₆H₅N),-quinoline (C₉H₇N), and-quinoxaline (C₈H₆N₂) interfaces. The resulting microcrystal films were characterized by photoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effect of ligands on the morphology of the film materials and their chemical properties were also discussed. These microcrystal films possessing reversible photocurrent and photovoltage properties were studied in detail. The photoactive and mechanically stable complex films described here may provide new strategies for fabricating photoluminescence solid films, photomodulation potential, and current films. The potential applications of the microcrystal films are for small light-induced electronic junction and photoluminescence sensors.