Dual-Template-Directed Zero-Dimensional Bismuth Chlorides: Structures, Luminescence, Photoinduced Chromism, and Enhanced Proton Conductivity

Zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid organic-inorganic bismuth halides have attracted immense scientific interest as promising candidates for lead-free materials. Here, by using a typical solvothermal method, two mixed-cation-phase 0D hybrid bismuth chlorides of [HPDA][H₂PDA]BiCl₆ (<b>1</b>) and [Hbzim][H₂PA]BiCl₆ (<b>2</b>) (PDA = bis(4-pyridyl)amine, bzim = benzimidazole, PA = 2-picolylamine) have been assembled based on a series of organic amine guests. Both compounds exhibit interesting photoluminescence phenomena, in which compound <b>1</b> exhibits a double emission property of blue fluorescence and yellow-green phosphorescence simultaneously, while compound <b>2</b> exhibits wide-band yellow-green emission under visible light excitation. The luminescence mechanism is explained by experiments and theoretical calculations. In view of the fact that halometallate units and the conjugated nitrogen heterocyclic systems can act as electron donors and electron acceptors, respectively, both compounds exhibit free radical-driven photochromism induced by electron transfer under xenon lamp irradiation at room temperature. In addition, benefiting from abundant hydrogen bond networks in structures, the two compounds show significant temperature-dependent proton conduction behavior in the range of 298-343 K, and the proton conductivity of both compounds is significantly improved after light irradiation. Our study demonstrates two novel hybrid mixed-cation-phase 0D hybrid bismuth halides with photoluminescence, photochromism, and photomodulated proton conduction properties, which enriches the dual-template-directed metal halide system and provides a feasible scheme for the synthesis of photoresponsive smart materials.