Photochromic Uranyl-Based Coordination Polymer for Quantitative and On-Site Detection of UV Radiation Dose

Abstract

A highly sensitive detection of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is required in a broad range of scientific research, chemical industries, and health-related applications. Traditional UV photodetectors fabricated by direct wide-band-gap inorganic semiconductors often suffer from several disadvantages such as complicated manufacturing procedures, requiring multiple operations and high-cost instruments to obtain a readout. Searching for new materials or simple strategies to develop UV dosimeters for quantitative, accurate, and on-site detection of UV radiation dose is still highly desirable. Herein, a photochromic uranyl-based coordination polymer [(UO 2 )(PBPCA)•DMF]•DMF (PBPCA = pyridine-3,5-bis(phenyl-4-carboxylate), DMF = N,N′dimethylformamide, denoted as SXU-1) with highly radiolytic and chemical stabilities was successfully synthesized via the solvothermal method at 100 °C. Surprisingly, the fresh samples of SXU-1 underwent an ultra-fast UV-induced (365 nm, 2 mW) color variation from yellow to orange in less than 1 s, and then the color changed further from orange to brick red after the subsequent irradiation, inspiring us to develop a colorimetric dosimeter based on red-green-blue (RGB) parameters. The mechanism of radical-induced photochromism was intensively investigated by UV−vis absorption spectra, EPR analysis, and SC-XRD data. Furthermore, SXU-1 was incorporated into an optoelectronic device to fabricate a novel dosimeter for convenient, quantitative, and on-site detection of UV radiation dose.

Systematic Study of Solid-State U(VI) Photoreactivity: Long-Lived Radicalization and Electron Transfer in Uranyl Tetrachloride

“…Initial spectra of 2 and 3 show features at g-tensors of approximately 2.036−2.038 and 2.016 that align with the previous accounts of paramagnetism in U(VI) complexes. 4,5,8 The profile observed is attributed to axial anisotropy about the uranyl metal center with regard to magnetic moment. In both cases, it is interesting that any profile is observed owing to the supposed diamagnetism of U(VI).…”

“…UO 2 2+ can also facilitate photoreactivity in both solution and the solid state. Researchers have leveraged these aspects of actinide chemistry to elicit interesting properties in a range of systems and rationalize the behavior observed in, for example, catalysis, speciation, and radiation detection. − Our previous work has capitalized on the ability of UO 2 2+ to prompt in situ peroxide formation in order to make novel families of solid-state complexes . Indeed, this is a well-understood phenomenon whereby UO 2 2+ is excited by incident light to make a strongly oxidizing species that participates in hydrogen abstraction (with a suitable substrate) and subsequently reduces ambient oxygen, ultimately resulting in radicalized substrate species and peroxide ions.…”

Photochromic Ln-Phosphonates Assembled by an Imidazole Derivative: Construction, Crystal Structures, and Light-Enhanced Proton Conductivity

“…Proton conductive materials, with a convenient and tunable property, play an important role in sensors, − batteries, , as well as smart grids and fuel cells. − At present, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) based on acid polymers, such as Nafion, are becoming a new type of clean energy battery and has been attracting much attention. − They also exhibit high proton conductivity in an aqueous environment and are widely used in portable applications. However, it is difficult to accurately analyze the relationship between the structure and property of amorphous polymeric films, which can be deemed a difficult problem for studying proton conduction mechanisms and pathways and further improving the performance of functional materials. ,, In addition, the high manufacturing cost as well as the low performance at high temperatures limits their application. , Therefore, exploration and development of new proton conductive materials with good chemical stability have been attracting extensive attention.…”