Study on a phosphorescent copper(I) complex and its oxygen-sensing performances upon polystyrene and MCM-41 matrixes

In this paper, we synthesize a new ligand of 1-ethyl-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (Phen-Np-Et) and its corresponding Cu(I) complex of [Cu(Phen-Np-Et)(POP)]BF4, where POP is bis(2-(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl) ether. The single-crystal structure, electronic nature and photophysical property of [Cu(Phen-Np-Et)(POP)]BF4 are discussed in detail. It is found that the yellow emission from [Cu(Phen-Np-Et)(POP)]BF4 owns a long excited state lifetime of 287 μs under pure N2 atmosphere. Theoretical calculation on [Cu(Phen-Np-Et)(POP)]+ suggests that the emission comes from a triplet metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer excited state. Then, [Cu(Phen-Np-Et)(POP)]BF4 are doped into two matrixes of polystyrene and MCM-41 to investigate the oxygen-sensing performance. Finally, sensitivity maxima of 9.6 and 3.6 are achieved by the composite nanofibers of [Cu(Phen-Np-Et)(POP)]BF4/polystyrene and the [Cu(Phen-Np-Et)(POP)]BF4/MCM-41, respectively. Both samples are highly sensitive toward molecular oxygen, owing to the large surface-area-to-volume ratios of nanofibrous membranes and MCM-41 matrix.

A novel luminescent Cu(I) complex has been synthesized. Its molecular structure, electronic nature and photophysical character are studied in detail. By doping it into polymer and silica matrixes, oxygen-sensing performances of the resulted composite materials are investigated. Finally, a high sensitivity of 9.6 is realized, with a short response time of 16 s.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A phosphorescent Cu(I) complex is synthesized and studied.
► It is a yellow emitter with long excited state lifetime of 287 μs.
► It is doped into polymer and silica matrixes to investigate its sensing performance.
► A maximum sensitivity of 9.6 with response time of 16 s is realized.