Crystal Structure of AgSCN Coordination Polymers for Sensing of Iron (III) Ions, Nitrobenzene and Photocatalytic Activity Under Ultrasonic Irradiation

Abstract

Single crystals of AgSCN supramolecular coordination polymer, SCP1 and the nanosized particles of AgSCN, 2, are synthesized by self-assembly and ultrasonic radiation methods, respectively. The structure comprises of the simple AgSCN molecule fabricated by a tetrahedral Ag atom and one thiocyanate group. The SCN ligand connects four Ag atoms via µ3-S and one nitrogen atom. Two silver atoms and two sulfur atoms form rhombic mini-cycle (Ag2S2) motif exhibiting argentophilic interaction. The structure of SCP1 extends three-dimensionally via coordinate bonds creating different fused polygons. The chemical structure and morphology of nanosized 2 are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spectroscopic methods. The heterogeneous catalytic and photo-catalytic activity of nanosized 2 exhibit very efficient catalytic activity towards degradation of Acid Blue-92 and Eosin-Y dyes within very short times under UV-light or ultrasonic radiation. The good limit of detection and the high quenching efficiency of SCP1 towards selective quantitative determination of nitrobenzene (NB) and Fe3+ ions support its behavior as an efficient luminescent sensor.