Attempt to visualize terminal structure on a specific facet in polymer–metal complex nanocrystals

Abstract

We have successfully visualized the surface terminal structure of polymer–metal complex [{Cu₂(μ-Br)₂(PPh₃)₂}(μ-bpy)]_n nanocrystals (NCs) using Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles (NPs). From TEM observation and analysis of the electron beam diffraction pattern, it was found that the (010) plane had grown well, and that the terminal ends of main chains would be located on the (010) plane of the present NCs as a dangling bond. Actually, PB NPs were selectively adsorbed on the (010) plane of [{Cu₂(μ-Br)₂(PPh₃)₂}(μ-bpy)]_n NCs. This fact clearly means bipyridine ligands having a nitrogen-terminal located on the surface of the (010) plane would coordinate and bind to Fe ions in PB NPs, which would lead to a new class of polymer–metal complex NCs materials.